Adaract is a disruptive technology startup developing high performance artificial muscle actuators with the primary goal of enhancing the mobility of man and machine'. Adaract has developed patented and patent-pending fluidic artificial muscles capable of providing smaller, lighter, and flexible actuation systems with unique bending and contracting capabilities that allow for finger-like movement. This allows our actuators to be configured into a symmetrical 'claw' shape to form a soft robotic gripper capable of both strong and gentle grips of objects of various shapes and sizes. In addition to unique motion profiles, three example sizes of this high-strength gripper could provide clamping forces of 35 lbs, 140 lbs, and 560 lbs at weights of less than 80 grams, 320 grams, and 1, 280 grams respectively. Adaract's artificial muscle actuators utilize novel materials and manufacturing techniques to achieve an unprecedented strength-to-weight ratio of 20, 000:1; making it 5x-10x stronger than other industry leading actuators. Artificial muscle technology has been proven capable of powering robotic grippers, however, our enhanced actuators and power unit technology create a robotic manipulator that is leak-free, dust/water proof, ruggedized, and significantly stronger relative to its weight while maintaining flexibility and adaptability for various military tasks. Relative to traditional hydraulic actuators, the muscles provide leak-free, stiction-free, and contaminant-proof operation due to the elimination of dynamic sealing surfaces. Furthermore, the actuators are highly corrosion resistant and are suitable for use with a wide range of operating fluids - including water, ammonia, jet fuel (kerosene), Hytek, and Skydrol. Adaract is seeking to conduct a feasibility study for use cases associated with Adaract's Artificial Muscle actuator technology to adapt our technology for the design and development of a ruggedized Multipurpose Robotic Gripper (MRG). The MRG would be a force multiplier used to increase the capability of autonomous systems in an Agile Combat Employment scenario where decentralized entities will be increasingly reliant on autonomous platforms. A stronger, lighter, more efficient robotic gripper with intelligent smart grip technology can be used to recover and move both casualties and equipment in a high-risk contested environment, can assist with expedited casualty evacuation when conventional manned assets are not available, and can assist airmen with moving heavy equipment, maintenance, aircraft loading, and ammunition related tasks. At the end of the feasibility study, Adaract will have produced a customized, low fidelity prototype MRG solution that can be adapted to meet different end user requirements across the DAF.
