Snake‐like robots “reach” into many types of applications
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to review development of the non‐rigid robot alternative to the fixed axis robot designs.
Design/methodology/approach
In‐depth interviews with the developer of the snake arm style robot and study of various applications employing this robot configuration.
Findings
Rigid robot configuration no longer limits the applications to which robotics can be applied. The flexible snake‐like approach opens doors to applications previously not possible with fixed axis type robots.
Practical implications
Users and integrators will learn how to rapidly apply the snake arm approach in an ever‐growing array of successful applications.
Originality/value
Users and integrators will gain insight into how to solve application needs that previously could not be successfully addressed with rigid axis style robots, opening the door to applications where very flexible reaching is essential.
Keywords
Citation
Bloss, R. (2012), "Snake‐like robots “reach” into many types of applications", Industrial Robot, Vol. 39 No. 5, pp. 436-440. https://doi.org/10.1108/01439911211249724
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2012, Emerald Group Publishing Limited