Himawari Plant Robot: Creature Expression Using Shape-Memory-Alloy Actuator Cluster

The goal of this project is to use shape-memory-alloy actuators to realize a wriggling creature. Normally, a shape-memory-alloy actuator generates a well-defined action (robot appendages grip something or walk). But in this project, precisely controlled actuators express wriggling and creature expression. It demonstrates that an assembly of actuators can be applied to shape display of 3D objects by increasing the number of actuators and the resolution.

Akira Nakayasu
Kiyoshi Tomimatsu
Kyushu University