Lego Robotic Arm

Uploaded by sumthinelse5790 on Feb 5, 2012 This is a model prosthetic arm made entirely of Legos. -hand movements and wrist abduction/adduction are Lego pneumatics -wrist pronation/supination, wrist flexion/extension, and elbow flexion/extension are Lego motors (Power Functions) The main purpose of this project was to accurately mimic the full range of motion of a normal human arm and hand. The secondary goal was to maximize speed and power, yet maintain a consistent ratio between the two for demonstration purposes. It is important to note that it was designed as an above elbow prosthesis, and the yellow shoulder is only meant to act as a static model. The amount of weight it can lift is limited to the shape of the object and orientation of the wrist and elbow, but it can't do much with more than a couple pounds. The controller is a rudimentary cluster of switches and joysticks. A 4-motor air compressor with pressure-regulation was made of Legos. LINK: Youtube

Robotagger: GML + ABB4400

GML (Graffiti Markup Language) drawings from 000000book.com are converted into DXF via a small Processing utility. Motion paths for a robot arm are planned from this DXF using Rhino and MasterCam. The ABB 4400 series arm is wielding a 2" Montana Hardcore marker. LINK: Vimeo

Robotic exoskeleton arms

Panasonic-owned firm Activelink Co. built this robotic exoskeleton called a Dual Arm Power Amplification Robot. The Activelink slogan is delightedly science fiction-esque: "Creating a New Human Machine Age." LINK Via: Youtube

From The Telegraph:

A team of six engineers, under Go Shirogauchi, has been working on the project since 2003 and aims to have the device, which is made of an aluminium alloy, ready to go into practical use by 2015.

"The prime use for the arm will be in disaster zones, where wheeled vehicles are unable to operate but heavy weights need to be moved," Shirogauchi said.

When completed, the arm will serve as a common platform that will have a wide range of interchangeable parts that can easily be installed. Other potential applications include in warehouses and on construction sites.

"Japanese scientists create 'Alien' bionic arm"

Dean Kamen’s “Luke” Arm

Dean Kamen, inventor of the Segway, has been working on a next-generation prosthetic arm that will blow your mind. A man who lost his arms 26 years ago can now peel a banana without squishing it. Read more about the project at ieee spectrum. Link, Via: Neatorama, Via: Youtube