Stiffness Modulation

Stiffness modulation, the ability to dynamically adjust the rigidity of a robotic system or component, is a key area of research aimed at improving robot dexterity, adaptability, and safety. Current efforts focus on developing novel mechanisms for achieving continuous and wide-range stiffness control, often inspired by biological systems like fingers and spines, and incorporating these mechanisms into various robotic architectures, including continuum robots and soft robotic grippers. These advancements are significant for enhancing human-robot interaction, enabling more robust manipulation in unstructured environments, and improving the performance of assistive devices like exoskeletons.