Key Takeaways & Executive Findings
- •• A novel rescue manipulator design integrates soft robotic arms, underactuated mechanisms, and suction cups, inspired by Drosera adhesion and stress envelope effect. • The manipulator distributes force across the entire human body surface, reducing local pressure and enhancing safety and stability during rescue. • Grasping experiments on a human chest contour model and various objects validated the design's feasibility and potential for ground object grasping. • The proposed approach addresses limitations of existing rescue robots, offering improved carrying capacity and adaptability for human rescue operations.
Abstract
The existing research on rescue robots has focused mainly on reconnaissance, detection, and firefighting, and a small number of robots that can achieve human rescue have problems such as poor safety and stability and insufficient carrying capacity. This article addresses the above issues and cleverly combines the advantages of soft robotic arms, underactuated robotic arms, and suction cups based on the principles of bionics. A new design for a robotic arm was proposed, and its working principle was explained. Then, the human rescue process was divided into two stages, and the grasping force of the robotic arm in each stage was analyzed separately. Finally, a prototype of the principle was developed, and the feasibility of the design principle of the robotic arm was verified through grasping experiments on a cross-sectional contour model of the human chest. At the same time, grasping experiments were conducted on different objects to demonstrate the potential application of the robotic arm in grasping ground objects. This research proposes a stress envelope adsorption rescue robot arm inspired by the adhesion ability of the Drosera plant and the stress envelope effect, which can apply force to the entire surface of the human body, reduce local force on the human body, ensure load-bearing capacity and adaptability, and improve the safety and stability of rescue grasping.
1. Introduction
Science and technology development, production equipment innovation, and the emergence of new equipment have caused significant differences between the past and present when referring to human societies. However, the unbalanced progress of building and equipment functionality and safety has led to an alarming increase in accidents. Globally, traffic accidents, nuclear accidents, mining disasters, explosions, and fires have resulted in significant losses of life and property, drawing widespread attention to this issue.
Disasters such as nuclear accidents and chemical factory leaks pose significant risks of secondary disasters and threats to the personal safety of rescue personnel due to heavy toxic gas leaks. However, there are certain advantages, such as minimal damage to surfaces and open environments. The use of rescue robots instead of manual labor in these environments provides a safe and efficient means of transporting injured persons while reducing secondary injuries to both rescue personnel and victims. Nevertheless, lifting a large, injury-prone, non-self-supporting human body off the ground while ensuring safety and stability during the rescue process remains a major challenge.
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Yanzhi Zhao, Haibo Yu, Changlei Pei, Maoshi Lu, Shijun Huang (2025). Inspired by the Adhesive Ability of Drosera and the Stress Envelope Effect Rescue Manipulator. Chinese Journal of Mechanical Engineering. https://doi.org/10.1186/s10033-025-01242-6
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main innovation of the proposed rescue manipulator?
The manipulator combines soft robotic arms, underactuated mechanisms, and suction cups, inspired by the adhesive ability of Drosera and the stress envelope effect, to apply force across the entire human body surface, improving safety and stability.
How does the manipulator ensure safety during human rescue?
By distributing force over the entire body surface, it reduces local pressure on the human body, thereby minimizing the risk of injury during grasping and lifting.
What experiments were conducted to validate the design?
Grasping experiments were performed on a cross-sectional contour model of the human chest and on various objects to demonstrate feasibility and potential application in grasping ground objects.
What are the limitations of existing rescue robots that this study addresses?
Existing rescue robots often have poor safety and stability and insufficient carrying capacity. This design improves load-bearing capacity and adaptability while ensuring safe and stable grasping.
What is the significance of the stress envelope effect in this context?
The stress envelope effect allows the manipulator to envelop the human body, applying force uniformly across the surface, which enhances grip stability and reduces localized stress.
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