Oct. 1, 2014 | By Alec

Transferring human abilities and senses to machines is the most difficult part of robotic engineering. While gripping something carefully and securely is something we might do without thinking about it, doesn't make it an easy skill to realize in robotics.

Therefore, an absolutely tremendous amount of time and effort are devoted to developing technology that makes things like seeing, recognizing and gripping possible for robots. However, it doesn't have to be that way, as scientists from the University of Washington showed at the recent 2014 IEEE International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems (IROS) in Chicago.

The two scientists from the Human Centered Robotics Lab at the University of Washington, Seattle, Zhe Xu and Maya Cakmak, have developed a simple 3D printed tool designed to make one of the most basic human functions, gripping and using objects, more robot-friendly. What's more, it's very cheap, durable, easy to make and easy to use.

Image credit: spectrum.ieee.org

The Griple is a 3D printed adapter that is easily attached to a variety of common household objects like brooms and brushes, and gives robots with basic gripping abilities the grip to firmly hold and use these objects. As can be seen in the video at the bottom of this article, cleaning robots are suddenly becoming a viable reality, and all it took was $10 worth of 3D printing plastic.

Image credit: spectrum.ieee.org

All you have to do is attach the Griple to the household tools, and lock it in place using Sugru self-curing silicone. This will allow robot to firmly hold and use the broom or brush. That way, it easily solves 3 stages can drive robotic engineers mad: grasping, applying and placing. The research team behind Griple did a series of tests that allowed the PR2 robot used to grab and use items like sponges, dusters and scrubbers, before putting them back where they belong.

Before the Griple adapter was added, the robot's success rate was (an already impressive) 86 percent, but this useful add-on boosted it to a nice 99 percent. And the possibilities don't end with gripping, but extend to recognizing. For a tag, like a QR code, could easily be added to this plastic grip, that would allow the robot to recognize that this is a toilet brush, rather than a tooth brush.

There's only one downside, and that is human convenience is ironically sacrificed for robotic convenience. Because for now, a Griple add-on is more or less permanent and renders objects relatively unusable for humans because it takes up most of the handle. Perhaps towo brooms will be needed in each household in the future?

Despite this little problem, this little 3D printed creation is an absolutely wonderful innovation, and not just because it allows robots to overcome gripping. For the way these Washington scientists engaged with robotic obstacles and sought an easy, affordable and accessible solutions is very impressive. To make household robotics a reality sooner rather than later, we need simple and clever innovations like this. And it's wonderful to see that 3D printing technology can offer scientists new and inventive options.

Check out the Griple in action:


Posted in 3D Printing Applications

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