So I've been exploring twisted nylon muscles for a bit, as it seems they could have some potential for cheaper robotics.
But they are quite a bit of work to build, and I still have a ways to go to do useful things with them.
http://www.livescience.com/43536-yarn-muscles-100x-stronger-human-muscles.htmlOne challenge is that an active cooling system will need to eventually be put in place.
One thing I have been wondering is, For the goal of a dextrous, high precision, affordable robotic hand system if it is the best way to go at this point?
I'd like to get started actually building a system, rather than be in long-term muscle manufacturing mode. And I'd like to stay away from using traditional motors for direct actuation.
Air muscles have seen some success, and that seems it might be the next likely candidate.
http://www.imagesco.com/articles/airmuscle/AirMuscleDescription02.htmlI like the idea of air better than hydraulics overall - less cost and potential mess.
Challenges could be the small high pressure hoses and valves, with the compressor tank / compressor adding cost as well.
Twisted lines looks interesting, but it seems inherently limited by the repeated movement that will contribute to eventual material failure.
http://www.hizook.com/blog/2015/01/13/twisted-string-actuators-surprisingly-simple-cheap-and-high-gear-ratioA linear electro-magnetic motor seems it could be interesting, a design like, with some gearing for precision control seems like it could have potential. I can think of a design that might work.
What do you all think?
The best combination of lower cost, and precision control potential.