TEDxMileHigh
Christoph Keplinger: The artificial muscles that will power robots of the future
克里斯多夫凱普林格: 驅動未來機器人的人造肌肉
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機器人的大腦越來越聰明，但它們的身體還是很沉重、不靈巧。機械工程師克里斯多夫凱普林格在設計新一代的軟性又靈活的機器人，靈感來自於演化的傑作：生物肌肉。來看看這些「人造肌肉」如何跟真的肌肉一樣延展和收縮，還能達到超過人類的速度；以及它們能如何讓義肢變得比人類的四肢更強壯、更有效率。
Christoph Keplinger - Roboticist, mechanical engineer
Christoph Keplinger aims to fundamentally challenge current limitations of robotic hardware, combining soft matter physics and chemistry with advanced engineering technologies to create a new generation of lifelike robots. Full bio
Christoph Keplinger aims to fundamentally challenge current limitations of robotic hardware, combining soft matter physics and chemistry with advanced engineering technologies to create a new generation of lifelike robots. Full bio
Double-click the English transcript below to play the video.
00:13
In 2015, 25 teams from around the world
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2015 年，全世界的二十五個團隊
00:17
competed to build robots
for disaster response
for disaster response
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比賽建造災害應變機器人，
00:19
that could perform a number of tasks,
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機器人必須要能做幾項工作，
00:21
such as using a power tool,
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比如，使用電動工具、
00:23
working on uneven terrain
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在不平坦的地形上工作，
00:25
and driving a car.
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以及開車。
00:27
That all sounds impressive, and it is,
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這些聽起來都很讓人欽佩，的確，
00:30
but look at the body
of the winning robot, HUBO.
of the winning robot, HUBO.
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但，看看得獎機器人
HUBO 的身體。
HUBO 的身體。
00:34
Here, HUBO is trying to get out of a car,
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這裡，HUBO 在試圖下車，
00:36
and keep in mind,
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別忘了，
00:38
the video is sped up three times.
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影片已經是用三倍速播放。
00:40
(Laughter)
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（笑聲）
00:44
HUBO, from team KAIST out of Korea,
is a state-of-the-art robot
is a state-of-the-art robot
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HUBO 是韓國團隊 KAIST
打造的最先進機器人，
打造的最先進機器人，
00:47
with impressive capabilities,
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它的能力讓人印象深刻，
00:49
but this body doesn't look
all that different
all that different
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但它的身體看起來仍很像
我們幾十年前看到的機器人。
00:51
from robots we've seen a few decades ago.
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00:54
If you look at the other robots
in the competition,
in the competition,
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如果你們去看看
比賽中的其他機器人，
比賽中的其他機器人，
00:58
their movements also still look,
well, very robotic.
well, very robotic.
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它們的動作看起來仍然，
嗯，非常像機器人。
嗯，非常像機器人。
01:01
Their bodies are complex
mechanical structures
mechanical structures
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它們的身體是複雜的機械結構，
01:03
using rigid materials
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用的是堅硬的材料，
01:05
such as metal and traditional
rigid electric motors.
rigid electric motors.
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比如金屬及傳統的剛性電動馬達。
它們的設計理念肯定不是低成本，
01:08
They certainly weren't designed
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01:10
to be low-cost, safe near people
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不是為了在人類身邊很安全，
或適應不可預測的困難。
或適應不可預測的困難。
01:13
and adaptable to unpredictable challenges.
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01:16
We've made good progress
with the brains of robots,
with the brains of robots,
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我們對機器人的大腦有很好的進展，
01:19
but their bodies are still primitive.
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但它們的身體仍然很原始。
01:22
This is my daughter Nadia.
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這位是我女兒娜迪雅。
01:24
She's only five years old
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她才五歲，
01:26
and she can get out of the car
way faster than HUBO.
way faster than HUBO.
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她下車的速度都比 HUBO 快。
01:28
(Laughter)
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（笑聲）
01:30
She can also swing around
on monkey bars with ease,
on monkey bars with ease,
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她還可以輕鬆在兒童
攀爬的猴架上盪來盪去，
攀爬的猴架上盪來盪去，
01:33
much better than any current
human-like robot could do.
human-like robot could do.
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任何人形機器人都沒她做得好。
01:36
In contrast to HUBO,
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相對於 HUBO，
01:37
the human body makes extensive use
of soft and deformable materials
of soft and deformable materials
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人類的身體大量使用
軟性且可變形的材料，
軟性且可變形的材料，
01:41
such as muscle and skin.
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像是肌肉和皮膚。
01:43
We need a new generation of robot bodies
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我們需要一種
新世代的機器人身體，
新世代的機器人身體，
01:45
that is inspired by the elegance,
efficiency and by the soft materials
efficiency and by the soft materials
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採用自然界中優雅、有效率，
以及使用軟性材料的設計。
以及使用軟性材料的設計。
01:49
of the designs found in nature.
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01:52
And indeed, this has become
the key idea of a new field of research
the key idea of a new field of research
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這個想法已經成了一個
新研究領域的核心概念，
新研究領域的核心概念，
01:56
called soft robotics.
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這領域叫做「軟性機器人學」。
01:58
My research group
and collaborators around the world
and collaborators around the world
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我的研究團隊和全世界的合作夥伴
02:01
are using soft components
inspired by muscle and skin
inspired by muscle and skin
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採用的軟性元件，
靈感來自肌肉和皮膚，
靈感來自肌肉和皮膚，
02:05
to build robots with agility and dexterity
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用這些元件打造的機器人，
在敏捷度和靈巧度上，
在敏捷度和靈巧度上，
02:07
that comes closer and closer
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會越來越接近
02:09
to the astonishing capabilities
of the organisms found in nature.
of the organisms found in nature.
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大自然中的有機體
所擁有的驚人能力。
所擁有的驚人能力。
02:14
I've always been particularly inspired
by biological muscle.
by biological muscle.
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生物肌肉總是特別讓我有靈感。
02:18
Now, that's not surprising.
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那並不讓人意外。
02:20
I'm also Austrian, and I know that I sound
a bit like Arnie, the Terminator.
a bit like Arnie, the Terminator.
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我也是奧地利人，我知道我的口音
有點像阿諾，魔鬼終結者。
有點像阿諾，魔鬼終結者。
02:23
(Laughter)
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（笑聲）
02:27
Biological muscle
is a true masterpiece of evolution.
is a true masterpiece of evolution.
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生物肌肉是演化中的真正傑作。
02:30
It can heal after damage
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在受傷之後它會復元，
02:31
and it's tightly integrated
with sensory neurons
with sensory neurons
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且它和感官神經元密切整合，
02:34
for feedback on motion
and the environment.
and the environment.
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以便得到動作
和環境的回饋資訊。
和環境的回饋資訊。
02:37
It can contract fast enough
to power the high-speed wings
to power the high-speed wings
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肌肉可以快速收縮，
讓蜂鳥的翅膀以高速拍打；
02:40
of a hummingbird;
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02:41
it can grow strong enough
to move an elephant;
to move an elephant;
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它可以成長到非常強壯，
讓大象能夠移動；
讓大象能夠移動；
02:44
and it's adaptable enough
to be used in the extremely versatile arms
to be used in the extremely versatile arms
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它的適應力好到可以被用在
非常多變化的章魚觸手上，
02:47
of an octopus,
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02:48
an animal that can squeeze
its entire body through tiny holes.
its entire body through tiny holes.
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章魚可以讓它的身體
擠壓穿過小小的洞。
擠壓穿過小小的洞。
02:53
Actuators are for robots
what muscles are for animals:
what muscles are for animals:
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機器人的促動器
就像是動物的肌肉：
就像是動物的肌肉：
02:57
key components of the body
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是組成身體的關鍵元件，
02:59
that enable movement
and interaction with the world.
and interaction with the world.
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讓身體可以移動，
和世界進行互動。
和世界進行互動。
03:02
So if we could build soft actuators,
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所以，如果我們能
打造出軟性促動器，
打造出軟性促動器，
03:05
or artificial muscles,
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或人造肌肉，
03:06
that are as versatile, adaptable
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且多變化、適應力強，
03:08
and could have the same performance
as the real thing,
as the real thing,
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能和真實的肌肉有同樣的表現，
03:10
we could build almost any type of robot
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那麼就能打造幾乎
任何種類的機器人 ，
任何種類的機器人 ，
03:12
for almost any type of use.
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應用在幾乎任何用途上。
03:15
Not surprisingly,
people have tried for many decades
people have tried for many decades
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不意外，數十年來人們都在嘗試
03:18
to replicate the astonishing
capabilities of muscle,
capabilities of muscle,
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複製肌肉的驚人能力，
03:21
but it's been really hard.
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但這非常困難。
03:24
About 10 years ago,
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大約十年前，
03:26
when I did my PhD back in Austria,
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當我在奧地利攻讀博士學位時，
03:28
my colleagues and I rediscovered
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我和我的同事重新發現了
03:30
what is likely one of the very first
publications on artificial muscle,
publications on artificial muscle,
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一篇人造肌肉的文章，
可能是最早刊出的這類文章，
可能是最早刊出的這類文章，
03:35
published in 1880.
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出版年是 1880 年。
03:37
"On the shape and volume changes
of dielectric bodies
of dielectric bodies
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「電力如何造成誘電性身體的
形狀和大小改變」，
形狀和大小改變」，
03:40
caused by electricity,"
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03:41
published by German physicist
Wilhelm Röntgen.
Wilhelm Röntgen.
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作者是德國物理學家威廉倫琴。
03:44
Most of you know him
as the discoverer of the X-ray.
as the discoverer of the X-ray.
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大部分的人聽過他，
是因為他發現了 X 光。
是因為他發現了 X 光。
03:49
Following his instructions,
we used a pair of needles.
we used a pair of needles.
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我們遵循他的指示，
用了一對針頭。
用了一對針頭。
03:51
We connected it to a high-voltage source,
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將針頭連結到高電壓的電源，
03:53
and we placed it near
a transparent piece of rubber
a transparent piece of rubber
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把它放置在透明橡膠的旁邊，
03:56
that was prestretched
onto a plastic frame.
onto a plastic frame.
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它已先被拉伸並固定在塑膠框上。
03:59
When we switched on the voltage,
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當我們打開電源，
04:01
the rubber deformed,
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橡膠就變形了，
04:02
and just like our biceps flexes our arm,
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就像我們手臂上的
二頭肌收縮屈曲，
二頭肌收縮屈曲，
04:05
the rubber flexed the plastic frame.
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橡膠會讓塑膠框收縮。
04:08
It looks like magic.
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很像魔術。針頭甚至
還沒有接觸到橡膠。
還沒有接觸到橡膠。
04:09
The needles don't even touch the rubber.
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04:11
Now, having two such needles
is not a practical way
is not a practical way
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用兩根這種針頭來操作人造肌肉，
04:14
of operating artificial muscles,
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並不是很實際的方法，
04:16
but this amazing experiment
got me hooked on the topic.
got me hooked on the topic.
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但這次很不可思議的實驗，
讓我迷上了這個主題。
讓我迷上了這個主題。
04:19
I wanted to create new ways
to build artificial muscles
to build artificial muscles
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我想要創造出新的方法，
來打造人造肌肉，
來打造人造肌肉，
04:22
that would work well
for real-world applications.
for real-world applications.
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且能夠應用到真實世界上。
04:25
For the next years, I worked
on a number of different technologies
on a number of different technologies
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接下來的數年間，
我嘗試了數種不同的技術，
我嘗試了數種不同的技術，
04:29
that all showed promise,
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全都看來有希望，
04:30
but they all had remaining challenges
that are hard to overcome.
that are hard to overcome.
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但也都有一些難以克服的困難。
04:34
In 2015,
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2015 年，
04:36
when I started my own lab at CU Boulder,
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我在科羅拉多大學波德分校
有了自己的實驗室，
有了自己的實驗室，
04:38
I wanted to try an entirely new idea.
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我想要嘗試一個全新的點子。
04:41
I wanted to combine
the high speed and efficiency
the high speed and efficiency
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我想要把電力驅動促動器的
04:44
of electrically driven actuators
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高速度和高效率
04:46
with the versatility
of soft, fluidic actuators.
of soft, fluidic actuators.
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和軟性流體促動器的
多功能性結合。
多功能性結合。
04:49
Therefore, I thought,
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因此，我心想，
04:50
maybe I can try using
really old science in a new way.
really old science in a new way.
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也許我可以嘗試用新的方法
來使用非常舊的科學。
來使用非常舊的科學。
04:54
The diagram you see here
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這張圖上所呈現的
04:55
shows an effect called Maxwell stress.
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是所謂的馬克士威應力張量。
04:58
When you take two metal plates
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拿兩片金屬板，
05:00
and place them in a container
filled with oil,
filled with oil,
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把它們放在一個裝滿油的容器中，
05:02
and then switch on a voltage,
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接著開啟電壓，
05:03
the Maxwell stress forces the oil
up in between the two plates,
up in between the two plates,
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馬克士威應力張量就會迫使油
向上跑到兩片板子中間，
向上跑到兩片板子中間，
05:07
and that's what you see here.
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像圖上這樣子。
05:09
So the key idea was,
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關鍵的想法是，
05:10
can we use this effect to push around oil
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我們能否在軟性、
可伸縮的結構中，
可伸縮的結構中，
05:13
contained in soft stretchy structures?
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利用這種效應來推動油？
05:16
And indeed, this worked surprisingly well,
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的確可以，結果非常成功，
05:18
quite honestly,
much better than I expected.
much better than I expected.
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老實說，比我預期的還要好很多。
05:21
Together with my
outstanding team of students,
outstanding team of students,
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我和我一群出色的學生
05:23
we used this idea as a starting point
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用這個想法當作起始點，
05:25
to develop a new technology
called HASEL artificial muscles.
called HASEL artificial muscles.
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來開發一種新技術，
叫做 HASEL 人造肌肉。
叫做 HASEL 人造肌肉。
05:29
HASELs are gentle enough
to pick up a raspberry
to pick up a raspberry
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HASEL 很溫柔，
可以完好地拿起覆盆子，
可以完好地拿起覆盆子，
05:33
without damaging it.
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不會損傷它。
05:36
They can expand and contract
like real muscle.
like real muscle.
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它們可以像真實肌肉
一樣延展和收縮。
一樣延展和收縮。
05:41
And they can be operated
faster than the real thing.
faster than the real thing.
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且它們動作的速度
會比真實肌肉快。
會比真實肌肉快。
05:44
They can also be scaled up
to deliver large forces.
to deliver large forces.
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也可以把它們再強化，
來發出很大的力量。
來發出很大的力量。
05:47
Here you see them lifting
a gallon filled with water.
a gallon filled with water.
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在這裡可以看見
它們舉起一加侖的水。
它們舉起一加侖的水。
05:51
They can be used to drive a robotic arm,
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它們可以用來驅動機械手臂，
05:52
and they can even
self-sense their position.
self-sense their position.
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它們甚至可以感覺到自己的位置。
05:57
HASELs can be used
for very precise movement,
for very precise movement,
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HASEL 可以用來
做非常精準的動作，
做非常精準的動作，
06:01
but they can also deliver
very fluidic, muscle-like movement
very fluidic, muscle-like movement
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但它們也能做出非常流暢、
類似肌肉的動作，
類似肌肉的動作，
06:04
and bursts of power
to shoot up a ball into the air.
to shoot up a ball into the air.
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還能爆發出力量，將球丟向空中。
06:09
When submerged in oil,
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浸入油裡面之後，
06:12
HASEL artificial muscles
can be made invisible.
can be made invisible.
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就看不見 HASEL 人造肌肉了。
06:19
So how do HASEL artificial muscles work?
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所以，HASEL 人造肌肉怎麼運作？
06:22
You might be surprised.
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你們可能會很驚訝。
06:24
They're based on very inexpensive,
easily available materials.
easily available materials.
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它們所使用的材料
一點也不貴，且很容易取得。
一點也不貴，且很容易取得。
06:27
You can even try, and I recommend it,
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我建議你們可以在家
試試主要的原理。
試試主要的原理。
06:29
the main principle at home.
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06:31
Take a few Ziploc bags
and fill them with olive oil.
and fill them with olive oil.
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拿幾個密封塑膠袋，裝滿橄欖油。
06:34
Try to push out air bubbles
as much as you can.
as much as you can.
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盡可能把氣泡擠出去。
06:37
Now take a glass plate
and place it on one side of the bag.
and place it on one side of the bag.
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拿一個玻璃盤子，
放在袋子的一側。
放在袋子的一側。
06:40
When you press down,
you see the bag contract.
you see the bag contract.
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向下壓時，你會看到袋子收縮。
06:43
Now the amount of contraction
is easy to control.
is easy to control.
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收縮的大小很容易控制。
06:47
When you take a small weight,
you get a small contraction.
you get a small contraction.
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用輕的重量去壓，
就會產生些微的收縮。
就會產生些微的收縮。
06:50
With a medium weight,
we get a medium contraction.
we get a medium contraction.
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用中等的重量去壓，
就會產生中等的收縮。
就會產生中等的收縮。
06:54
And with a large weight,
you get a large contraction.
you get a large contraction.
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用重的重量去壓，
就會產生極大的收縮。
就會產生極大的收縮。
06:57
Now for HASELs, the only change
is to replace the force of your hand
is to replace the force of your hand
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HASEL 唯一的差別
就是用電力來取代
就是用電力來取代
07:00
or the weight with an electrical force.
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手的力量或是重量。
07:03
HASEL stands for "hydraulically amplified
self-healing electrostatic actuators."
self-healing electrostatic actuators."
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HASEL 是「透過水壓來擴大的
自我治癒靜電促動器」的縮寫。
自我治癒靜電促動器」的縮寫。
07:08
Here you see a geometry
called Peano-HASEL actuators,
called Peano-HASEL actuators,
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各位看到的這個幾何形狀叫做
皮亞諾－HASEL 促動器，
皮亞諾－HASEL 促動器，
07:12
one of many possible designs.
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是許多可能的設計之一。
07:15
Again, you take a flexible polymer
such as our Ziploc bag,
such as our Ziploc bag,
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同樣的，可以用柔韌的聚合物，
比如密封塑膠袋，
比如密封塑膠袋，
07:18
you fill it with an insulating liquid,
such as olive oil,
such as olive oil,
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裝滿絕緣的液體，比如橄欖油，
07:21
and now, instead of the glass plate,
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這次，不用玻璃盤，
07:23
you place an electrical conductor
on one side of the pouch.
on one side of the pouch.
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改用電導體，放在袋子的一側。
07:26
To create something
that looks more like a muscle fiber,
that looks more like a muscle fiber,
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創造出看起來像是
肌肉纖維的東西，
肌肉纖維的東西，
07:29
you can connect a few pouches together
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可以把幾個袋子連接在一起，
07:31
and attached a weight on one side.
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在一端加上重量。
07:33
Next, we apply voltage.
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接著，加上電壓。
07:36
Now, the electric field
starts acting on the liquid.
starts acting on the liquid.
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電場現在開始影響到液體。
07:39
It displaces the liquid,
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它會移開液體，
07:41
and it forces the muscle to contract.
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並會強迫肌肉收縮。
07:44
Here you see a completed
Peano-HASEL actuator
Peano-HASEL actuator
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各位在這裡看到的是完成的
皮亞諾－HASEL 促動器，
皮亞諾－HASEL 促動器，
07:47
and how it expands and contracts
when voltage is applied.
when voltage is applied.
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以及在加上電壓之後
它會如何延展和收縮。
它會如何延展和收縮。
07:51
Viewed from the side,
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從側面看，
07:52
you can really see those pouches
take a more cylindrical shape,
take a more cylindrical shape,
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可以看到這些袋子的形狀
變成比較像是圓柱狀，
變成比較像是圓柱狀，
07:55
such as we saw with the Ziploc bags.
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像剛才看到的密封塑膠袋一樣。
07:58
We can also place a few
such muscle fibers next to each other
such muscle fibers next to each other
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我們也可以把幾條
肌肉纖維排在一起，
肌肉纖維排在一起，
08:01
to create something that looks
even more like a muscle
even more like a muscle
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創造出更像肌肉的東西，
能夠在橫斷面上收縮和延展。
08:04
that also contracts and expands
in cross section.
in cross section.
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08:06
These HASELs here are lifting a weight
that's about 200 times heavier
that's about 200 times heavier
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這些 HASEL 所舉起的重量，
比它們自身的重量還要重兩百倍。
08:10
than their own weight.
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08:12
Here you see one of our newest designs,
called quadrant donut HASELs
called quadrant donut HASELs
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這是我們的最新設計之一，
叫做四分之一甜甜圈 HASEL，
叫做四分之一甜甜圈 HASEL，
08:16
and how they expand and contract.
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它們在延展和收縮。
08:17
They can be operated incredibly fast,
reaching superhuman speeds.
reaching superhuman speeds.
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它們可以動得非常快速，
達到超人的速度。
達到超人的速度。
08:23
They are even powerful enough
to jump off the ground.
to jump off the ground.
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它們甚至強到可以跳離地面。
08:26
(Laughter)
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（笑聲）
08:28
Overall, HASELs show promise
to become the first technology
to become the first technology
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總的來說，HASEL 的前景看好，
很可能成為第一種能夠
很可能成為第一種能夠
08:32
that matches or exceeds the performance
of biological muscle
of biological muscle
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匹敵或超越生物肌肉表現的技術，
08:36
while being compatible
with large-scale manufacturing.
with large-scale manufacturing.
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且它還可以大規模生產。
08:39
This is also a very young technology.
We are just getting started.
We are just getting started.
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這種技術還很新，我們才剛起步。
08:42
We have many ideas how to
drastically improve performance,
drastically improve performance,
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我們有很多如何
大幅改善性能的點子，
大幅改善性能的點子，
08:45
using new materials and new designs
to reach a level of performance
to reach a level of performance
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包括用新材料以及新設計，
來達到更高的性能，
來達到更高的性能，
08:49
beyond biological muscle and also beyond
traditional rigid electric motors.
traditional rigid electric motors.
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超越生物肌肉，也超越
傳統的剛性電動馬達。
傳統的剛性電動馬達。
08:54
Moving towards more complex designs
of HASEL for bio-inspired robotics,
of HASEL for bio-inspired robotics,
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接著是更複雜的設計，靈感來自
生物的機器人學所用的 HASEL，
生物的機器人學所用的 HASEL，
08:57
here you see our artificial scorpion
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這個是我們的人造蝎子，
08:59
that can use its tail to hunt prey,
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能用尾巴來捕食獵物，
09:01
in this case, a rubber balloon.
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這裡的獵物是橡皮氣球。
09:02
(Laughter)
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（笑聲）
09:04
Going back to our initial inspiration,
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回到我們初始的靈感，
09:06
the versatility of octopus arms
and elephant trunks,
and elephant trunks,
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章魚手臂的變化性
以及大象的鼻子，
以及大象的鼻子，
09:09
we are now able to build
soft continuum actuators
soft continuum actuators
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現在，我們能夠打造出
軟性連續促動器，
軟性連續促動器，
09:12
that come closer and closer
to the capabilities of the real thing.
to the capabilities of the real thing.
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越來越接近真實肌肉的能力。
09:17
I am most excited
about the practical applications
about the practical applications
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最讓我感到興奮的是
HASEL 人造肌肉的實際應用。
09:20
of HASEL artificial muscles.
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09:22
They'll enable soft robotic devices
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有了它，就可以做出
能夠改善生活品質的
軟性機器人裝置。
軟性機器人裝置。
09:25
that can improve the quality of life.
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09:27
Soft robotics will enable a new generation
of more lifelike prosthetics
of more lifelike prosthetics
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軟性機器人學讓更逼真的
新世代義肢成為可能，
新世代義肢成為可能，
09:31
for people who have lost
parts of their bodies.
parts of their bodies.
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能用來協助失去某些身體部位的人。
09:33
Here you see some HASELs in my lab,
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這是我實驗室中的 HASEL，
09:35
early testing,
driving a prosthetic finger.
driving a prosthetic finger.
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早期的測試，驅動的是義肢手指。
09:39
One day, we may even merge
our bodies with robotic parts.
our bodies with robotic parts.
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將來，我們甚至可以
將我們的身體和機器部位結合。
將我們的身體和機器部位結合。
09:45
I know that sounds very scary at first.
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我知道一開始聽起來是挺可怕的。
09:48
But when I think about my grandparents
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但，當我想到我的祖父母，
09:50
and the way they become
more dependent on others
more dependent on others
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想到他們變得越來越依賴其他人，
09:53
to perform simple everyday tasks
such as using the restroom alone,
such as using the restroom alone,
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即使簡單的日常小事也要別人幫忙，
比如他們無法獨自上廁所，
比如他們無法獨自上廁所，
09:57
they often feel like
they're becoming a burden.
they're becoming a burden.
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他們總覺得自己成為別人的負擔。
10:00
With soft robotics, we will be able
to enhance and restore
to enhance and restore
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有了軟性機器人學，
我們將可以強化和恢復
敏捷度和靈巧度，
敏捷度和靈巧度，
10:04
agility and dexterity,
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10:05
and thereby help older people
maintain autonomy
maintain autonomy
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這麼一來，就可以協助老人
在人生中保有更長時間的自主能力。
10:08
for longer parts of their lives.
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10:11
Maybe we can call that
"robotics for antiaging"
"robotics for antiaging"
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也許我們可以稱之為
「抗老化機器人學」，
「抗老化機器人學」，
10:15
or even a next stage of human evolution.
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或甚至人類演化的下一階段。
10:19
Unlike their traditional
rigid counterparts,
rigid counterparts,
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和傳統僵硬的機器人不同，
10:21
soft life-like robots will safely operate
near people and help us at home.
near people and help us at home.
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軟性逼真的機器人能夠
在人類周圍安全地運作，
在人類周圍安全地運作，
並在家中協助人類。
10:27
Soft robotics is a very young field.
We're just getting started.
We're just getting started.
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軟性機器人學還是個很新的領域。
我們才剛起步。
10:31
I hope that many young people
from many different backgrounds
from many different backgrounds
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我希望許多不同背景的年輕人
能加入這趟讓人興奮的旅程，
能加入這趟讓人興奮的旅程，
10:34
join us on this exciting journey
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10:36
and help shape the future of robotics
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利用來自大自然的靈感，
10:38
by introducing new concepts
inspired by nature.
inspired by nature.
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帶入新觀念，協助塑造
機器人學的未來。
機器人學的未來。
10:42
If we do this right,
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如果我們能把這件事做對，
10:44
we can improve the quality of life
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就能改善生活的品質，造福眾人。
10:46
for all of us.
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10:47
Thank you.
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謝謝。
10:48
(Applause)
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（掌聲）
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Christoph Keplinger - Roboticist, mechanical engineerChristoph Keplinger aims to fundamentally challenge current limitations of robotic hardware, combining soft matter physics and chemistry with advanced engineering technologies to create a new generation of lifelike robots.
Why you should listen
Robots today rely on rigid components and electric motors that use metal and magnets, making them heavy, unsafe near humans, expensive and ill-suited for unpredictable environments. Nature, in contrast, makes extensive use of soft materials such as muscles and skin and has produced organisms that drastically outperform robots in terms of agility, dexterity and adaptability. Christoph Keplinger aims to fundamentally challenge current limitations of robotic hardware, using an interdisciplinary approach that synergizes concepts from soft matter physics and chemistry with advanced engineering technologies to introduce intelligent materials systems for a new generation of life-like robots.
A major theme of Keplinger's research is the development of new classes of actuators -- a key component of all robotic systems -- that replicate the sweeping success of biological muscle, a masterpiece of evolution. He is the principal inventor of HASEL artificial muscles, a new class of high-performance muscle-mimetic actuators for use in next-generation robots that replicate the vast capabilities of biological systems. In 2018 he cofounded Artimus Robotics to commercialize the technology.
Originally from Austria, Keplinger studied physics at the Johannes Kepler University Linz before moving to the US to research mechanics and chemistry at Harvard. He is an assistant professor of mechanical engineering and a fellow of the Materials Science and Engineering Program at the University of Colorado Boulder, where he leads a highly interdisciplinary research group that works on soft robotics, energy harvesting and functional polymers. His work has been published in Science Magazine, among others, and highlighted in popular outlets such as National Geographic. Keplinger he has received prestigious awards including a 2017 Packard Fellowship for Science and Engineering.
Christoph Keplinger | Speaker | TED.com