A research team from the Tokyo Institute of Technology has produced a hydraulic actuator that could enable robots to perform better in disaster response environments.
Most hydraulic actuators developed today are for industrial machinery, such as power shovels, and are too large and heavy to use for robots to operate in harsh conditions.
The new hydraulic actuators offer increased power and shock resistance at a much smaller size with a diameter between 20 and 30 millimeters when compared to conventional electric motors. The new actuators also produce a higher output with smoother controls than other models, enabling robots to operate in more difficult conditions while maintaining a gentle touch.
Flowtech Fluidpower PLC (LON:FLO) is a leading specialist in fluid power products and solutions. Through hydraulics, pneumatics and associated industrial products, they focus on moving liquid, gas or air to generate power which keeps industry moving.
