Design and Assessment of Bird-Inspired 3D-Printed Models to Evaluate Grasp Mechanics

Abstract

Adapting grasp-specialized biomechanical structures into current research with 3D-printed prostheses may improve robotic dexterity in grasping a wider variety of objects. Claw variations across various bird species lend biomechanical advantages for grasping motions related to perching, climbing, and hunting. Designs inspired by bird claws provide improvements beyond a human-inspired structure for specific grasping applications to offer a solution for mitigating a cause of the high rejection rate for upper-limb prostheses. This research focuses on the design and manufacturing of two robotic test devices with different toe arrangements. The first, anisodactyl (three toes at the front, one at the back), is commonly found in birds of prey such as falcons and hawks. The second, zygodactyl (two toes at the front, two at the back), is commonly found in climbing birds such as woodpeckers and parrots. The evaluation methods for these models included a qualitative variable-object grasp assessment. The results highlighted design features that suggest an improved grasp: a small and central palm, curved distal digit components, and a symmetrical digit arrangement. A quantitative grip force test demonstrated that the single digit, the anisodactyl claw, and the zygodactyl claw designs support loads up to 64.3 N, 86.1 N, and 74.1 N, respectively. These loads exceed the minimum mechanical load capabilities for prosthetic devices. The developed designs offer insights into how biomimicry can be harnessed to optimize the grasping functionality of upper-limb prostheses.