[1] Challenges include effectively modeling the human body's complex motions and ensuring accurate positioning, given that the tendons are prone to stretch, which costs them strength and smooth operation.
This robot, designed for potential use in cardiovascular procedures, uses a tendon to bend the guidewire made of nested tubes from superelastic nitinol.
Researchers announced plans to make Roboy's design open-source, allowing anyone with a 3-D printer to build and tinker with their own version.
Kenshiro is somewhat larger than Roboy and includes 160 pulley-like muscles and aluminum bones that allow it to perform simple bends and poses.
It has a flexible mechanical structure that allows it to pick up heavy payloads even though it weighs much less than the conventional robotic arm that the company also makes.