From gigantic objects like stars, planets, and galaxies to the realm of the tiny: insects, bacteria, viruses, and other microscopic items, humans have long been attracted to scales that are different from their own. Although the microscope enables us to examine and study the tiny world, direct interaction is still challenging.
However, technology for human-robot interaction may change all of that. For example, microrobots may interact with the environment on scales that are considerably smaller than our own. Microsensors have been used to measure the forces that insects apply while they move or fly. But instead of examining a direct connection between insects and microsensors, most studies to date have primarily concentrated on observing insect behavior.
In light of this, scientists from Ritsumeikan University in Japan have created a soft robotic microfingers that enables closer contact with the microworld. On October 10, 2022, the research, which was directed by Professor Satoshi Konishi, was published in Scientific Reports. “A liquid metal flexible strain sensor is used to create a tactile microfinger.” By acting as an artificial muscle, a soft pneumatic balloon actuator enables control and finger-like movement of the sensor. A human user can directly operate the microfingers when wearing a robotic glove. “This type of mechanism allows for safe interaction with insects and other small objects,” Professor Konishi explains.
Using their newly developed microrobot system, the researchers investigated the reaction force of a pill beetle as a representative sample of an insect. The soft robotic microfingers was used to apply force and gauge the reaction force of the pill insect’s legs after the bug was suction-fixed into position.
The pill bug’s legs produced a reaction force of about 10 mN (millinewtons), which was consistent with earlier estimates. Even though it was only representative research and a proof-of-concept, the outcome is quite encouraging in terms of achieving actual direct human interactions with the microworld. Additionally, it can be used with augmented reality (AR) technology. Many augmented reality (AR) technologies pertaining to human-environment interactions on the microscale can be implemented using robotized gloves and microsensing tools like the microfinger.
“We achieved a previously unattainable goal by using our strain-sensing microfinger to directly assess the pushing motion and force of a pill bug’s legs and torso. “Our findings should spur future technical advancement for microfinger-insect interactions, enabling much smaller-scale interactions between people and their environment,” Prof. Konishi comments.
