Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Tendon-driven robots offer advantages in terms of their compliance, lightweight design, and remote actuation, making them ideal for applications requiring dexterity and safety. However, existing tendon-driven actuators often suffer from low integration and inaccurate proprioceptive sensing due to their complex pulley-based tension sensors and bulky angle sensors. This paper presents the design and control of a compact and proprioceptive modular tendon-driven actuator. The actuator features a simplified single-pulley tension sensing mechanism and a novel maze-slot fixation method, minimizing friction and maximizing the structural integrity. A 3D Hall effect sensor is employed for accurate estimation of the tendon length with minimal space usage. A feedforward PID controller and a model-based tendon length observer are proposed to enhance the dynamic performance and sensing accuracy. Bench tests demonstrate that the actuator achieves a high power density (0.441 W/g), accurate closed-loop tension control, and reliable tendon length estimations. The proposed design provides a practical and high-performance solution for tendon-driven robots, enabling more agile, compact, and robust robotic systems.
Source: Actuators
DOI: 10.3390/act14060278
Authors: Di Zhao, Xinbo Wang, Fanbo Wei, Lei Ren, Kunyang Wang, Luquan Ren
Institution: Jilin University
Language: English
Subfield: Biomedical Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,896
Awards: G7373407820, G8965705428
OpenAlex ID: W4411089563