A unique prototype tool designed for rock manipulation is NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s Microspine gripping tool. The tool uses a unique strategy which combines probability and friction to conform to a flat or curved rock surface and clinch to its target.
Intrigued by this concept and seeing the potential of the tool’s capability when connected to the end of an advanced 7 degree-of-freedom robot manipulator, WVRTC collaborated with NASA JPL to test out the prototype on one of our Motoman SIA50s in the WVRTC lab. Check out the video!