Soft Robotics Enables Neuroprosthetic Hand Design

Development and implementation of neuroprosthetic hands is a multidisciplinary field at the interface between humans and artificial robotic systems, which aims at replacing the sensorimotor function of the upper-limb amputees as their own. Although prosthetic hand devices with myoelectric control can be dated back to more than 70 years ago, their applications with anthropomorphic robotic mechanisms and sensory feedback functions are still at a relatively preliminary and laboratory stage. Nevertheless, a recent series of proof-of-concept studies suggest that soft robotics technology may be promising and useful in alleviating the design complexity of the dexterous mechanism and integration difficulty of multifunctional artificial skins, in particular, in the context of personalized applications. Here, we review the evolution of neuroprosthetic hands with the emerging and cutting-edge soft robotics, covering the soft and anthropomorphic prosthetic hand design and relating bidirectional neural interactions with myoelectric control and sensory feedback. We further discuss future opportunities on revolutionized mechanisms, high-performance soft sensors, and compliant neural-interaction interfaces for the next generation of neuroprosthetic hands.

Review and Proposal for a Classification System of Soft Robots Inspired by Animal Morphology

The aim of this article is to propose a bio-inspired morphological classification for soft robots based on an extended review process. The morphology of living beings that inspire soft robotics was analyzed; we found coincidences between animal kingdom morphological structures and soft robot structures. A classification is proposed and depicted through experiments. Additionally, many soft robot platforms present in the literature are classified using it. This classification allows for order and coherence in the area of soft robotics and provides enough freedom to expand soft robotics research.