Summary:
A Singapore institute of higher learning has developed a reconfigurable hybrid robotic gripper, which resolves the limitations of currently available grippers with an adjustable base that is able to produce different grasp postures in the food industry processing or packaging lines. The technology provider is interested in licensing or commercial partnerships with technical assistance with food manufacturers MNE/SME of all sizes.
Description:
The reconfigurable hybrid robotics handler has a grasping configuration which can be adjusted based on the shape and size of food items, therefore making it a one-size-fits-all gripper for processing and packaging line in the food manufacturing industry. It allows the gripper to grasp large items (such as large biscuit box) as well as small items (such as a small piece of chocolate).
The technology comprises a base having a gripper system with the gripper system comprising one or more finger modules.
Each finger module has a finger actuation control system, whereby the finger actuation control system comprises of a pneumatic solenoid valve and a pneumatic pressure sensor. The finger actuation control system is covered by soft material sleeve. One or more finger components have programmable rigidity while maintaining great adaptability and flexibility for delicate object manipulation.
Each finger component comprises of an actuator and skeleton with one more ball joints. The ball joints having a stiffness which is adjustable by varying pneumatic air pressure supplied to the balloon actuators in the joint and also has a bending actuator to evaluate its gripping performance.
Type (e.g. company, R&D institution…), field of industry and Role of Partner Sought:
The Singapore institute of higher learning is interested in the following types of partnerships with MNEs or SMEs of all sizes:
i) Licensing agreement - The partner could license the technology for further development and introduce it to its customers.
ii) Commercial agreement with technical assistance - The partner could utilise the technology with technical support from the technology provider.
Stage of Development:
Prototype available for demonstration
IPR Status:
Patent(s) applied for but not yet granted
External code:
TOSG20210125003
