SpiRobs: Logarithmic Spiral-shaped Robots for Versatile Grasping Across Scales

TL;DR

SpiRobs are a new class of soft robots inspired by natural logarithmic spiral structures, capable of versatile grasping across scales with simple fabrication and adaptive strategies.

Contribution

Introduction of SpiRobs, a biologically inspired spiral-shaped soft robot design that enables scalable, versatile grasping with a rapid, low-cost manufacturing process.

Findings

Can grasp objects over two orders of magnitude in size

Achieves up to 260 times its own weight in lifting capacity

Demonstrates scalability with miniaturized and large variants

Abstract

Realizing a soft manipulator with biologically comparable flexibility and versatility often requires careful selection of materials and actuation, as well as attentive design of its structure, perception, and control. Here, we report a new class of soft robots (SpiRobs) that morphologically replicates the logarithmic spiral pattern observed in natural appendages (e.g., octopus arms, elephant trunks, etc.). This allows for a common design principle across different scales and a speedy and inexpensive fabrication process. We further present a grasping strategy inspired by the octopus that can automatically adapt to a target object's size and shape. We illustrate the dexterity of SpiRobs and the ability to tightly grasp objects that vary in size by more than two orders of magnitude and up to 260 times self-weight. We demonstrate scalability via three additional variants: a miniaturized gripper (mm), a one-meter-long manipulator, and an array of SpiRobs that can tangle up various objects.