New Artificial Muscles Lift 1000 Times Their Own Weight

Artificial Origami Skeletons

Humans have soft muscles and rigid skeletons, and when exerted in optimal sync they have the potential to lift a fairly impressive amount of weight. But a new technique, created by humans, that uses soft muscles and rigid skeletons allows a device to lift 1,000 times its own weight. This is a major development because, while soft robotics have exhibited promise with dexterity and human-like motion, they have typically lacked sufficient strength.

In a new paper published in the journal PNAS, scientists from MIT CSAIL and Harvard’s Wyss Institute show how soft robotics can retain immense strength with the help of rigid origami skeletons. Professor Daniela Rus, CSAIL director and lead author of the paper, said in an interview with The Verge, "Soft robots have so much potential, but up until now, one of the limitations has been payloads. [They’re] very safe, very gentle, but not good for lifting heavy objects. This new approach allows us to make strong and soft robots.”

Soft Robotics

Obviously, this technology could be used within warehouses and the manual labor sector where the ability to lift heavy objects with an increased dexterity are a must. But robotics with applications in this field of labor consequently have many other applications in a variety of other fields. Currently, scientists are exploring the use of soft robotics in fields ranging from marine research to the creation of autonomous, soft robots. This wide range of applications will only continue to grow as the technology advances, and this new research will allow the tech to be pushed further than ever before.

Decades ago, people envisioned a future in which robots ruled, completing superhuman tasks with chrome exteriors. And recently, soft robotics changed that notion, only held back by their lack of strength. This bold foray into strong, soft robotics could truly allow for the next phase of robotics to ensue.