Following the general idea of moving from traditional to “soft-bodied” robots, we work on the improvement and development of the technology of actuation. In particular, we are considering high-efficient custom-designed electric motors (brushless) and new gear structures but simultaneously high-risk activities in the field of electro-active polymers (EAP) and carbon nanotubes [see also Materials].

CAD of a new prototype gearbox unit based on the cyclodal reducer principle							Multilayer dielectric elastomer actuators. Top-left: basiccontractile element; Top-right: cross-section showing alternating conductive/insulator layers; Bottom: electronmicroscope analysis of the artificial muscle components