Artimus Robotics | The Development of Polymer-Based Electrohydraulic Actuators

Eric Acome From Rigid Motors to Flexible Artificial Muscles: Realizing the promise of physical AI requires a fundamental rethink of how machines move. Actuators — the components that convert electricity into motion — are at the heart of this challenge. Electric motors have dominated for over a century, but their reliance on electromagnetic principles creates critical limitations for next-generation applications: poor adaptability, high heat generation, and mechanical complexity that makes miniaturization difficult. Flexible electronic materials offer a compelling alternative. Polymer films with excellent dielectric properties enable a new class of actuators based on electrostatic principles. Electrohydraulic actuators combine thin polymer films, flexible printed conductors, and liquid dielectrics to function as true artificial muscles. They deliver high power-to-weight ratios, fast response times, scalable force output, and direct linear motion in a compact, adaptable form factor. This talk reviews the state of the art in electrohydraulic artificial muscle technology (known as HASEL actuators), examines key performance metrics, and highlights applications — including dexterous robotic hands, bio-inspired robots, and wearables. It closes with an outlook on the broader future of actuator technologies enabled by flexible electronic materials and manufacturing methods. ------------ To watch this presentation in full, please purchase TechBlick Annual Pass at https://www.techblick.com/registration and login to TechBlick platform https://app.swapcard.com/event/techblick View more presentations like this on: https://www.techblick.com/pastevents    / @techblick   Upcoming Events: https://www.techblick.com/events-agenda The Future of Electronics RESHAPED: https://www.techblick.com/USA https://www.techblick.com/EUROPE The Future of Electronic Textiles RESHAPED: https://www.techblick.com/electronict... The Future of Sustainable Electronics RESHAPED: https://www.techblick.com/sustainable... Perovskite Connect: https://www.techblick.com/perovskitec... MicroLED Connect: https://www.microledconnect.com/ AR/VR Connect: https://www.microledconnect.com/arvrc... Optical I/O Connect: https://www.optical-io-connect.com/ ---------------