Development of High-Durability Flexible Fabrics Using High-Strength Synthetic Fibers and its Application to Soft Robots

Abstract

This letter introduces a research project as invited research of Science of Soft Robots from 2019–2020. The primary purpose of this research is to investigate the mechanical durability of fabrics subjected to repeated bending, as when used as a structural part of a soft robot. The fabric is then applied to a soft robot, a gripper for food handling. Two experimental durability testing devices are developed, and the results of initial measurements are presented. Additionally, a soft pneumatic hand with membranes, inspired by the form of a deep-sea octopus, is also presented as an application example.