TRIGGER: A Lightweight Universal Jamming Gripper for Aerial Grasping

TL;DR

TRIGGER is a lightweight, universal, and robust aerial grasping system utilizing particle jamming, capable of handling objects with high holding force and passive compliance, validated through laboratory drone experiments.

Contribution

This paper introduces TRIGGER, a novel modular jamming gripper specifically designed for aerial grasping, combining lightweight design with high resilience and passive compliance.

Findings

Produces 15N holding force with 2.5N activation force

Adding an additive improves holding force by up to 52%

Successfully demonstrated in drone pick-and-release tasks

Abstract

This work introduces TRIGGER, the first lighTweight univeRsal jammInG Gripper for aErial gRasping. TRIGGER is an omnidirectional, landing-capable aerial grasping system with resilience and robustness to collisions and inherent passive compliance. In particular, this work presents the design, fabrication, and experimental validation of a novel, intelligent, modular, universal jamming gripper specifically designed for aerial applications. Leveraging recent developments in particle jamming and soft granular materials, TRIGGER produces 15N of holding force with only a relatively small activation force of 2.5N. Experiments show the relationship between fill ratio and activation force and reveal that adding an additive to the membrane's silicone mixture improves the holding force by up to 52%. The concept is validated by mounting TRIGGER onto a multicopter performing a pick-and-release task under laboratory conditions. Based on the experimental data, a model for robotic simulators is introduced to facilitate future controller developments.