Parallel robotic manipulation via Pneumatic Artificial Muscles

In this article, a 6 Degree-of-Freedom (DOF) parallel manipulator, actuated by Pneumatic Artificial Muscles (PAMs), is being presented. Incorporated in a two Stewart Platform-based design, the novel manipulator's motion capabilities are being examined through kinematic analysis, while the open-loop operation characteristics and performance of the manipulator's control via a multiple PID-based scheme are being experimentally evaluated.