Objective
Actuators are key components for moving and controlling a mechanism or system. However, the torque and efficiency of the current state-of-the-art actuators are insufficient and much lower than in humans. There are several applications (including prostheses, exoskeletons and running robots) where the unavailability of suitable actuators hinders the development of well-performing machines with capabilities comparable to a human. Remarkable, the power density and efficiency of electric motors are higher than a human muscle, so the problems of insufficient torque and efficiency resides in the transmission of the power and that the motors are not used at their highest efficiency. The first innovation of SPEAR is to solve the torque and efficiency problems, by investigating in depth a novel actuation paradigm, which I call Series-Parallel Elastic Actuation (SPEA) and that goes beyond variable impedance actuators. This new actuation paradigm is inspired by the series-parallel organisation of the muscle fibres. Modularity in actuation is currently introduced by placing in all joints the same motor, leading to over- or underactuated joints. In our body however, all the skeletal muscles are built of the same basic actuation unit: a muscle fibre. Modularity in actuation in a biological system is not at muscle level, but on a sublevel: the muscle fibre. SPEAR will introduce a second major innovation: the SPEA will introduce a basic actuation unit, a “transistor for actuation”. Such a SPEA-element is a missing link in robotics and will innovate the way robots are designed and built. The project will study the theoretical framework, the design principles, the control algorithms and the validation of demonstrators. SPEAR will fully answer all the research challenges and explore the frontiers of this novel actuation paradigm, leading to a tremendous impact on all engineered, actuated systems, especially in robotics.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electronic engineering robotics
- medical and health sciences medical biotechnology implants
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
ERC-2013-StG
See other projects for this call
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Host institution
1050 BRUSSEL
Belgium
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.