Flexiv Unveils Robot Solutions at Stanford Robotics Center Opening

Stanford University recently opened a new robotics center dedicated to supporting robotics research across industries. The center is designed for the next generation of robotic experts to advance automation in logistics, manufacturing, healthcare, art, space exploration, and even in consumers’ homes. The center’s opening ceremony featured industry experts and university faculty. Flexiv, a robotics company local to the university, was also a key contributor and attendee at the center’s grand opening.

Flexiv’s newest robotic solutions being demonstrated at Stanford Robotics Center’s grand opening. Image used courtesy of Flexiv

Flexiv

Industrial robots have been used in automation settings for many years now, and their typical applications include material handling, painting, and dispensing. Flexiv is taking the robot to new applications with precise force control, disturbance rejection, and whole-body force control. Essentially, Flexiv is adding force sensors to the robot arm and allowing the robot to compensate for motion profiles based on the external forces. At the recent Stanford University ceremony, Flexiv unveiled four new robot solutions.

Flexiv’s Grav Enhanced Gecko Gripper features a “V-mode” that uses an adhesive inspired by geckos. Image used courtesy of Flexiv

Enhanced Gecko Gripper

Inspired by the small tropical creature, the new Grav Enhanced Gecko Gripper uses super friction material to grasp onto objects that are otherwise ungraspable with standard grippers. The high-friction material, combined with a flexible substrate, allows for robot applications where spherical objects need to be grasped.

Dual Teleoperation With Haptic Feedback

Flexiv’s Dual Robotic Arm Teleoperation with Haptic Feedback system features two robot arms working together to simulate human function. The impressive feature is the feedback system. Similar to video games where the user can feel the controller vibrate, the dual teleoperation robot provides feedback to the operator, allowing the user to know when the robot is touching objects. This technology could be beneficial in operating rooms that take advantage of robotic surgeries.

Flexiv’s multi-arm component assembly solution enables robots to perform complex tasks that require more than one arm. Image used courtesy of Flexiv

Multi-Arm Assembly

Combining multiple robot arms gives users dexterity in their robot applications. Flexiv showcases the ability to assemble or manufacture complex components with the ability to combine multiple arms.

Magnetic Milli-Spinner Vascular Therapy

Delivering medical treatments within the body can be difficult, especially when the location is in or only accessible by blood vessels. Flexiv has designed a robotic system that can magnetically guide micro-devices through blood vessels, targeting treatments where they are most needed.

Magnetic guided milli-spinner for use in vascular therapy being showcased at the Stanford Robotics Center grand opening. Image used courtesy of Flexiv

Advancing Robotic Technology

Over the past few years, companies such as Flexiv have been pushing the boundaries of robotics to be used in new and exciting industries. Giving robots dexterity through force sensors and dynamically altering programmed paths allows for applications that were never possible before. By investing in the Stanford Robotics Center, Flexiv is helping ensure future innovation in robotic technologies for years to come.