In the world of robotics, we’ve often seen robots relying on mechanical hands to pick up and manipulate objects.
However, that approach does not fully capture the essence of how humans interact with the world, especially when dealing with heavy objects.
Toyota’s groundbreaking creation, Punyo soft robot. Unlike its traditional counterpart, Punyo draws inspiration from our human behavior.
Imagine a robot that uses not only its hands, but also its chest, hips, and arms to handle objects like we do.
Punyo, a soft robot (Toyota Research Institute)
Punyo’s design
Punyo features a cute and friendly face reminiscent of Baymax from Disney’s Big Hero 6. But that’s not all. Punyo appears to be wearing a comfortable-looking sweater, which serves a practical purpose. It’s very hug-oriented.
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Toyota’s soft robot “Punyo” (Toyota Research Institute)
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Sweater with emphasis on hugs
The sweater-like cover is made from a non-slip material, providing a soft, docile layer over Punyo’s hard metal skeleton. Tactile sensors are embedded in the fabric, allowing Punyo to feel exactly what he’s hugging, whether it’s a person or an object.
Toyota’s soft robot “Punyo” works (Toyota Research Institute)
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Punyo’s swollen legs
Instead of traditional hands, Punyo has what Toyota calls “feet.” This is not a typical foot. It’s like an inflatable hoof. Small dots are printed on the inside of these feet. When your foot touches something, the dots distort, revealing the shape and force of the contact. A smart camera captures this deformation and feeds the information directly to the robot’s brain, allowing it to understand objects more effectively.
Punyo’s soft robot has human characteristics (Toyota Research Institute)
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The softness of Punyo’s arms
Punyo’s arms are made of air-filled bubbles, air tubes, and pressure sensors that extend from his shoulders to his wrists. These bubbles can be individually pressure-adjusted, allowing you to achieve the optimal firmness based on the task at hand.
Punyo, a soft robot that lifts boxes (Toyota Research Institute)
training punyo
Robotics at the Toyota Research Group have trained Punyo to handle a variety of large objects through remote control. Some techniques include:
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Toyota’s soft robot “Punyo” (Toyota Research Institute)
Lean and lift: Punyo leans forward and hugs the item to his chest, then leans back and picks it up.
Stack it up: Punyo also has the ability to pile up objects, making it versatile for different scenarios.
Creative carry: Imagine throwing a jug of water up onto Punyo’s shoulder and holding it steady from above.
Cart important points
Punyo’s innovative design and emphasis on cuddling breaks new ground in soft robotics. Grasping large, unwieldy objects with gentle precision suggests exciting possibilities for robot helpers in the home and other environments in the future.
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