Bridgestone in link-up to commercialise rubber-powered robotic hands

Tokyo – Bridgestone Corp. has linked up with supplier of intelligent robot systems Ascent Robotics to further develop and commercialise its soft robotics for piece-picking.

According to Bridgestone, the ‘capital and business alliance’, called Soft Robotics Ventures, will combine its 'soft robotic hands' technology with Ascent's AI-based ‘eye and brain’ software.

“As a result, robots can instantly recognise and distinguish objects at logistics work sites, and can work autonomously,” the Japanese group announced 1 Feb.

Bridgestone said the goal is to “automate piece-picking work” by enhancing the ‘feeling’ of the robotic hand equipped with rubber artificial muscles in the ‘fingers’.

The partners envisage commercialising the soft robotics system: tapping into increasing demand for automated logistics amid growing e-commerce activities and shortages of labour.

Furthermore, an aging population and non-contact requirements post-Covid will make the robots more attractive, the statement continued.

Bridgestone added that it is developing artificial rubber muscles (rubber actuators) using its knowhow from the development and production of tires and hoses.

“Taking advantage of the flexibility, impact resistance, light weight, and high output of this artificial rubber muscle, we can create a variety of shapes, hardnesses, and weights,” it stated.