This project seeks to develop the first micrometric-size Ultra-Efficient Wireless POwered Micro-robotic joint (UWIPOM2), enabling the creation of micro-robotic complex mechanisms for minimally invasive micro-surgery techniques and in-vivo health treatments. The foreseen robotic joint will contain a micro-motor connected to a new type of long-lasting gearbox which reduces drastically friction and simplifies assembly. Moreover, the robotic joint (motor + gear) will be wireless powered through gigahertz electromagnetic waves, thus providing infinite autonomy to any tool or micro-robot activated by UWIPOM2.
The scientific-technological aim is to create the first building block able to power future healthcare micro-robots. Test in in-vivo like environment will be done to demonstrate its feasibility. If the risky scientific and technological challenges hereby proposed are overcome, radically new outstanding minimally invasive micro-surgery techniques and new non-invasive inside body treatments will be enabled, saving thousands of lives.
UWIPOM2 project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 857654.
https://cordis.europa.eu/project/rcn/224927/factsheet/en
Programme(s)
Call for proposal
H2020-FETOPEN-2018-2019-2020-01