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Robotic forearm designed with human-like proportions and efficient heat dissipation:


To replicate this in robots, researchers developed a compact forearm with a radioulnar joint using miniature bone–muscle modules. The design mimics human proportions, with two modules in the radius and ulna, totaling eight muscles. These muscles control six degrees of freedom (DOFs), including the radioulnar joint, radiocarpal joint, and finger movements.

The module’s compact design maintains the correct body proportions and weight ratios while offering more muscle-driven freedom than other robots. The researchers successfully created a forearm that closely mirrors human joint performance, allowing for precise, skillful movements similar to those of a human.

In a collaboration between scientists from Physics and Chemistry at the University of Bayreuth and Physical Chemistry at the University of Melbourne, it has now been possible to realize optically switchable photonic units that enable precise addressing of individual units. This will make it possible to reliably store and read binary information optically.