Safe and powerful robotics for near-human tasks

Robots mowing lawns is a form of robotic assistance that society has accepted. But there are currently few concepts for robotic assistance in other tasks, specifically those that involve close proximity to humans, like housekeeping and care. The Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology IWU uses innovative switchable stiffnesses in robots to combine the required strength with the necessary safety. At the Hannover Messe Preview on March 16, 2022, and at the Hannover Messe from May 30 to June 2, 2022, the researchers will be presenting a robot arm that could facilitate the support of people in their direct surroundings.