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A South Korean research team has developed a new type of robotic actuator that replicates the movement of human muscles using a thin, flexible structure. The design offers a promising approach for robots that need to operate in confined environments or perform delicate tasks, such as surgery or precision manufacturing.
Actuators are the core components that drive motion in robots, typically converting energy into movement. Most traditional actuators rely on rigid materials and mechanical joints, which limit flexibility. In contrast, according to the press release, the newly developed actuator—created by researchers from Samsung Electronics and Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH)—is constructed from a soft, sheet-like material no thicker than a piece of paper.
Despite its minimal thickness, the actuator is capable of producing significant force. This is made possible through a pneumatic system embedded within the sheet. Dozens of miniature air chambers and multi-layered pathways allow the device to expand and contract in controlled ways, mimicking the natural function of myosin, a protein responsible for muscle contraction in the human body.
By channeling air into these chambers, the actuator produces motion through the accumulation of small but coordinated pressure changes—similar to how real muscles generate force through repeated, fine-scale contractions.
The researchers describe their design as a “complex three-dimensional pneumatic network” capable of multi-directional movement. Experimental trials showed that the actuator could mimic the precision of human finger motions and perform well in environments such as underwater settings.
Applications for this type of actuator are broad. It may be particularly valuable in robotic surgery, where precise and gentle manipulation is critical. It could also support factory automation in tight or complex assembly lines, or even be deployed in exploration scenarios where conventional rigid robots might struggle.
The research was published in Nature Communications. While further development is required before commercial deployment, the actuator represents a step forward in designing robotic systems that move more like living organisms—enhancing both safety and effectiveness in human-robot collaboration.
