Researchers have been working on motor-powered robots for the past 70 years; motor technology dates back around 200 years. Even though these robots can walk and have arms and legs, they frequently lack human agility and fluidity of movement. Why?  ~ due to the lack of muscles in them. 

Finding The Muscle Power ~ 

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Scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems and ETH Zurich claim to have made progress by creating a robotic leg that is driven by artificial muscles instead of electrical motors. Inspired by both people and animals found in the wild, the robotic arm can jump over barriers and traverse surfaces like sand and gravel. Isn't this magical to read?  It doesn't require complicated sensors to execute quick motions or high jumps. The researchers claim in a statement that the leg is also far more energy-efficient than motor-powered robots, and that although the technology is still in its infancy, it may pave the way for future humanoid robots to be propelled by artificial muscles. 

The paper, which was written by PhD students Thomas Buchner and Toshihiko Fukushima, is scheduled to be published in the scientific journal Nature Communications in the coming days . 

Artificial muscles: understanding their existence? 

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Various Investor's interest in the robotics space has been growing this year; according to Goldman Sachs, the global market for humanoid robots is expected to reach $38 billion( US Dollars) by 2035.  Europe's humanoid robot startups include the Norwegian AI company ‘1X’, and the Swiss firms (and ETH spinouts) 'ANYbotics', which is creating a four-legged robot for industrial use, which is creating robotic hands with artificial intelligence.

However, in contrast to traditional robotic limbs, the researchers from ETH and Max Planck claim that the leg's movement mimics that of actual people and animals, having both a flexor and an extensor muscle that allows for bidirectional movement. The researchers refer to these prosthetic muscles as electro-hydraulic actuators, or HASELS, and they are affixed to the skeleton via tendons. According to the researchers, this is not the same as traditional robotic legs, which are powered by electromagnetic rotary motors. 

Fresh opportunities  ~

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Since 'electro-hydraulic actuators' were first introduced just six years ago, the field of artificial muscles is still in its infancy, and the researchers acknowledge that more work needs to be done before their technology can match or surpass the most sophisticated humanoid robots currently available. 

Their methods still have limitations as compared to walking robots that use electric motors. Robert Katzschmann, a professor at the Soft Robotics Lab at ETH Zurich, noted that the limb is now tied to a rod, jumps in circles, and is not yet capable of free movement. He also noted that mobile battery technology is still not being used to power it.

Looking at the Future Prospects ~ 

However, because artificial muscles can adapt and make more subtle and minor movement modifications, they could pave the way for actual robots to walk on more uneven terrain provided these constraints are addressed.  The reason for this, according to the researchers, is that electric motors need sensors to continuously determine the angle at which the robotic leg is positioned, and the artificial muscle adjusts by interacting with its surroundings to achieve the ideal position.  "Perhaps one day, when it is battery-powered, we can deploy it as a rescue robot if we combine the robotic leg in a quadruped robot or a humanoid robot with two legs," added Katzschmann.