Miniature Muscle Motors Revolutionize Robotic Forearm with Human-Like Precision

Researchers at the University of Tokyo’s JSK Lab have developed a cutting-edge robotic forearm that closely replicates human joint performance, muscle arrangement, and body proportions. This innovative design is powered by two miniature muscle motors integrated into a single module, which also serves as the bone structure, allowing for precise, skillful movements.

The forearm’s design features a radioulnar joint that mirrors human proportions and enables complex motions like soldering, book opening, and swinging a badminton racket. The team at JSK Lab utilized shared components to maximize space, and a novel method was developed to dissipate motor heat through the bone structure. These advancements allowed the robotic forearm to achieve six degrees of freedom (DOFs), closely replicating human joint performance.

This development represents a significant leap forward in the field of humanoid robotics, offering a more accurate and maintainable solution for tendon-driven humanoids. The forearm was tested using Kengoro, a robot equipped with the human-mimetic radioulnar structure, successfully performing tasks that require fine motor skills.