Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) Robotic Hand - University of Utah Mechanical Engineering

This was a two-semester Senior Design Project at the University of Utah - Department of Mechanical Engineering. The Robotic Hand is actuated using Shape Memory Alloy wires. Hot and cold water is pumped over the wires to make them expand and contract. That motion is amplified through a small transmission mechanism. The output from the transmission drives the fingers and their displacement. The entire system is controlled by a National Instruments LabView program. The fingers are capable of nearly every motion a human finger can make including side to side movements (aduction and abduction). Response time is significantly quicker than previous attempts. The hand has future potential for a working prosthetic replacement. The project was completed under the direction of Dr. Stephen Mascaro with help from Les Flemming.

Movie music by Coldplay - Capitol Records.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• University
• of
• Utah
• Robot
• Robotic
• Hand
• Shape
• Memory
• Alloy
• Mechanical
• Engineering
• SMA
• Senior
• Design

[Michaud12]

and where did you get the transmission mechanism?

[Michaud12]

so why use water over electricity?

[CrabTastingMan]

@AZURA888 I think I heard shape memory alloy fibers instead of electromag actuators are many times stronger, 100 times stronger than what human muscles can do. But frankly I'm no expert and its a long time since I read that article...

[AZURA888]

why didn't you just pass current through the wire instead of warming it with hot water????.

[Films4You]

Hey it's give me The Finger 1:53

[nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn984]

hi

may i know where did u buy the sma? what are the names/ specs?

thanks

[SiliconeSlave]

Nicely done. I didn't know SMA acted that fast, always imagined it slower.

[BubuSnow93]

Of course, great machine.

but results ridicolous compared to an humanda hand....

[Jonathansa01]

This is a very good use of SMA, well done guys!!!! ;)