Shape Memory Alloys (SMAs) are materials that create linear motion from heat or electrical inputs. The electro-magnetic motor has moved industry and automation for over a century, yet modern robotic machines are reaching the fundamental limits of its ability as mechanical systems increase in complexity while decreasing in size. SMA actuators have benefits of extraordinary high strength, high energy density, simplicity, and low cost. These benefits come along with obstacles of complex thermo-electro-mechanical behavior, difficult control, fatigue over time, and moderate speed – all of which can be overcome – as well as barriers of low energy efficiency and limited life-time which can only be overcome by improvements in material science. Research on SMAs at Deft is an extension of work started at Auburn University under a Space Grant Fellowship, and performed in collaboration with NASA Glenn. Projects highlighted here demonstrate the mechanical, electrical, and controls skill of the Deft Dynamics team.
Daze Balancing Arm Robot
Daze SMA Robot. Featuring game-changing improvements to Shape Memory Alloy actuators and control algorithms, Daze defines the future of robotics with: 1) Many degrees of freedom in a lightweight and compact form 2) Nearly silent operation 3) Sufficient speed and dexterity for many tasks 4) Hardware cost is much lower than electric motors This is a demonstration of the robot balancing a ball on a paddle, showing the SMA muscle speed and accuracy as well as the machine vision and motion planning.
Micro Hexapod
Shape memory alloys offer the potential for high Degrees-of-Freedom (DoF) devices in very small formats. This hexapod design uses six, modular, 3 DoF legs controlled by custom drivers using sliding mode control and self-sensing positioning. The opportunity to further miniaturize this device is clear, because the NiTi wire and electronics are a fraction of the mass of the device itself.
Other Projects
