西湖大学姜汉卿：柔性智能时代来临，以科技向善实现“From Lab to Life”

Core Viewpoint - The integration of flexible intelligence and robotics is essential for ensuring safe human-robot interaction in various environments such as homes, elder care, and healthcare, addressing the limitations of rigid robotic arms and electronic device reliability [2][6]. Research Background and Origin of Flexible Technology - The concept of "flexible electronics" was proposed in 2006, focusing on creating devices that can conform to the human body, which has now matured into a commercial sector [6][7]. - The establishment of the "Cross-Mechanics Laboratory" aims to bridge research with practical applications, emphasizing the importance of societal impact and cross-disciplinary collaboration [7]. Core Technology: Flexible to Rigid Mechanisms - The development of "flexible-to-rigid robotic arms" and "full-arm perception" technology addresses safety concerns in human-robot coexistence environments [9][11]. - The robotic arms are designed to be rigid during operation but can become soft during interaction to prevent injury, utilizing mechanical solutions rather than relying solely on electronic systems [12][13]. Key Technologies - Mechanical Metamaterials: The robotic arms utilize third-generation materials, combining paper and carbon fiber, designed to change stiffness based on structural configuration [13]. - Blocking Mechanism: This mechanism allows the robotic arm to switch between rigid and soft states, ensuring safety during operation [13][14]. - Full-Arm Perception: The system employs a simplified approach with only four sensors to detect impacts, allowing for quick responses to avoid collisions [15]. Product Demonstration and Future Plans - A demonstration of the robotic arm shows its ability to switch between hard and soft states within 0.3 seconds, with plans to announce the "Flexible Qiang" intelligent care robot at a national elder care conference [16]. - The robot will feature functions such as fall detection, health management, and emotional companionship, with future iterations focusing on enhancing care capabilities [16]. Exploration of Flexible Intelligence Applications - Micro Robots: Innovations in micro-robotics include a new driving method that allows for operation in environments without external power sources, enabling collaborative tasks [18]. - Customized Flexible Grippers: A new flexible gripper design addresses the challenges of sorting diverse industrial products, enhancing automation in food processing [19]. - Speech Assistance for Special Needs: The integration of flexible electronics and AI aims to assist individuals with speech impairments, achieving over 80% accuracy in reconstructing speech intentions [20].