Robots could be used as assistance systems, particularly for monotonous or dangerous tasks, and relieve the burden on humans. The strict separation between the work areas of humans and robots is increasingly being abolished; a collaborative workspace is being created. Bionic lightweight robots are virtually predestined for safe human-robot collaboration due to their natural movement patterns and the compliant pneumatics used.

Pneumatic lightweight robot with human motion sequences
The Bionic-Cobot's movement patterns are modeled on the human arm, from the shoulder to the upper arm, elbow, ulna and radius to the hand. It makes use of the natural mechanism of action of the biceps and triceps muscles, i.e. the efficient interplay of flexors and extensors, in all its joints. This enables it to perform sensitive movements like its biological role model.

The movement patterns of the BionicCobot are modeled on the human arm. (Image: Festo)

The movements of the bionic cobot can be controlled powerfully and dynamically as required, but also sensitively and flexibly, so that the system does not endanger people even in the event of a collision. This is made possible by the pneumatic automation platform "Festo Motion Terminal", which combines high-precision mechanics, sensors and complex control and measurement technology in a small space. Depending on the task, different grippers can be connected to the Bionic-Cobot. It is operated intuitively via a specially developed graphical user interface: Using a tablet, the user can easily teach and parameterize the actions to be performed. The defined work steps can then be lined up as required in a timeline using drag and drop. The entire motion sequence is virtually mapped and simulated at the same time. The interface between the tablet and the Festo Motion Terminal is the open source platform ROS (Robot Operating System), on which the path planning of the kinematics is calculated. Festo launched the Bionic Learning Network more than ten years ago. In cooperation with students, universities, institutes and development companies, Festo supports projects, test and technology carriers. The aim is to use bionics to identify new technologies and implement them in industrial automation. sw