Artimus Robotics Launches Next-Gen Artificial Muscles
Artimus Robotics has launched its newest generation of HASEL actuators, a form of contracting artificial muscle technology. The company claims the new actuators deliver more than double the mechanical output of previous versions due to improvements in material science. Artimus is now seeking partners to evaluate the technology for applications requiring dexterous robotic manipulation.
- The technology, known as HASEL (Hydraulically Amplified Self-healing Electrostatic) actuators, originated as academic research in the Keplinger Research Group at the University of Colorado Boulder starting in 2015. Artimus Robotics was founded in 2018 by the technology's inventors to commercialize it. - HASEL actuators function by applying electrostatic forces to a flexible polymer pouch filled with a dielectric liquid, which then uses hydraulic pressure to create movement. This design avoids the rigid and noisy components of traditional motors and doesn't require pneumatic systems. - The technology is designed to mimic the performance of natural muscles and, in some metrics, exceeds them, with the potential for linear strain of 100%, a specific power of 600W/kg, and a bandwidth of over 100Hz. - A key feature of HASEL actuators is their ability to self-heal from electrical damage; the liquid dielectric inside the flexible pouch allows them to recover immediately after a dielectric breakdown event. - Artimus Robotics has raised a total of $594K in funding over four rounds and is backed by investors including the National Science Foundation, America's Seed Fund, Heroic Ventures, and Hunt Technology Ventures. - The U.S. Navy was one of the first major customers, purchasing actuators in early 2019 for use in defense applications. By 2021, the company had shipped over 1,000 actuators to clients in industries including automotive, medical, aerospace, and industrial automation. - Different designs allow the actuators to produce various types of motion, such as contracting, expanding, or bending. This versatility makes them suitable for applications like soft robotic grippers capable of handling delicate objects, haptics, and prosthetics.
