Employees from Yamagata University, Japan, have presented a new generation hinge mechanism. Its principle of action is similar to that in the human body. Such a system is able to provide a full range of motion in all axes.
The innovation is called ABENICS and is a spherical mechanism with three degrees of freedom of movement. The system uses spherical gear elements that resemble hinges in shape. If you attach a new joint to such a structure, for example an arm or a leg, you can achieve smooth movement of the limb.
The technology may have applications in the creation of a new generation of robots, as modern humanoid robots use two or more motorized joints: one for up and down movement, another for forward and backward movement, and a third for rotational control.
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The potential use of ABENICS is quite wide. With the help of the development, surgeons can perform laparoscopic operations with higher accuracy. The systems can also be used in dentistry. In addition, the technology could find use in the space industry to create limbs for rovers and robots. See more.