Origami Robots Can Animate Pages In Books

Origami self-powered robots may soon be a regular component in children’s books and greeting cards. When opened, their flexible properties could cause them to leap out of the pages. Theoretically, that could be one of its many applications. These movable machines are the creation of designers and engineers at CU Boulder’s ATLAS Institute.

The team has drawn inspiration from the field of soft robotics to develop thin, shape-changing, fast-moving and completely silent objects. Known as the Electriflow, they include origami cranes that can bend their necks, flower petals that react to the touch and insects that move about. This can be accomplished with just the press of a button.

“Usually, books about butterflies are static,” said Purnendu, a graduate student at CU Boulder who is leading the project. “But could you have a butterfly flap its wings within a book? We’ve shown that it’s possible.”

These Electriflow designs don’t require motors or similar mechanism to move. The physical softness is inspired by a class of “artificial muscles” that were initially developed by engineers led by Chrisoph Keplinger at CU Boulder. They are now available commercially through a company called Artimus Robotics.

Photo Credit: Purnendu

Artimus employs the use of “hydraulically amplified self-healing” electrostatic (HASEL) actuators. And unlike traditional power sources, HASEL actuators get their power from electrostatic forces that push oil around the sealed plastic pouches.

“One of the main benefits of these actuators is that they’re versatile,” said Acome, coauthor of the new study and the chief technology officer at Artimus Robotics. “They’re just pouches, but depending on the shape of that pouch, you can generate different kinds of movement.”

The different pouch shapes can be combined to create origami like folds. Purnendu’s creations can flap their wings similar in nature to that of butterflies and moths. This realism has led him to believe that with proper adaptation, they can be used to create animated cartoon characters that can run and jump in the pages of books.

“There are a lot of different geometries that we can play with,” Purnendu said. But for the time being, he’s happy to watch his butterflies take flight.