Pneumatically operated? piano playing soft robot

A team of researchers at the University of California, Riverside, has developed an 8-bit random-access memory (RAM) that operates pneumatically using microfluidic valves instead of transistors. Also, a video of a robot playing the piano using this RAM was released.

So-called soft robots that operate pneumatically have been around for a long time. It is made of soft rubber material, so it is safe for human contact and is expected to be used in places close to people. However, these robots also use many electronic devices to operate, and there are restrictions on cost and size.

To solve this problem, RAM using air pressure was developed. Instead of conventional transistors and electrical circuits, it uses microfluidic valves that control air pressure. 8-bit RAM with atmospheric pressure of 0 and vacuum of 1 does the job and does not pressurize, so there is no need to worry about equipment damage.

In fact, a robot that plays pinao using this air RAM was also introduced. The robot, with its 3D-printed fingers, bends its fingers in a vacuum and plays a song (Mary Had a Little Lamb) slowly.

But now it works slowly and needs various improvements. Of course, in theory, it is said that the robot can be controlled only with a battery-operated vacuum pump without using any electronic devices. Related information can be found here.