Snake-arm robot

A flexible manipulator is a slimmer hyperredundanter manipulator. Because of its high number of degrees of freedom of the arm can move along a path or around an obstacle wind ( cf. Engl. Designation snake arm ).

Definition

Flexible manipulator arms are also referred to as a continuous robot or elephant's trunk. However, these definitions are restrictive and can not be applied to all flexible manipulator arms.

• A robot is a continuous curved manipulator, similarly to the arm of an octopus.
• An elephant's trunk robot is a good example of a continuous robot. Here, the entire arm is used to detect or manipulate objects.

Applications

The ability to achieve and limited spaces, results in many applications involving spatial access problems. The following list is merely intended to point out some application fields.

Industry:

• Nuclear energy closure
• Repair and maintenance

• Production and assembly within the wings, turbines and nozzles
• Surface treatment: handling a sandblast
• Maintenance, repair and overhaul

• Preparation: Alternatives for the assembly of structures

Security and Defence:

• Explosive ordnance disposal
• Search and Rescue

Medical Technology:

• Endoscopy
• Colonoscopy