Design and Validation of a 7-DoF Robotic Arm Featuring Hybrid Pneumatic-Electric Actuation
Abstract
To enable more natural motion mapping between the human arm and a robotic counterpart while reducing control complexity, this paper presents a novel seven-degree-of-freedom (7-DoF) bionic robotic arm with hybrid pneumatic–electric actuation in an antagonistic configuration inspired by the skeletal structure and muscular actuation of the human upper limb. The design combines the high power density and intrinsic compliance of pneumatic artificial muscles with the precision and stability of electric motors, improving motion adaptability and payload-to-weight performance. Kinematic feasibility and motion smoothness for human-like waving are validated via forward kinematics and redundancy-resolved inverse kinematics, together with trajectory simulations. To quantitatively evaluate dexterity and operational range, Monte Carlo sampling is used to generate reachable postures across the workspace, producing a wrist activity map that characterizes attainable orientations and maneuverability. A prototype testbed is built to verify physical performance. Joint-angle tracking experiments for the wrist and elbow, as well as whole-arm coordinated-motion tests, demonstrate accurate trajectory tracking, smooth transitions, and stable motion. These results confirm the mechanical soundness and effectiveness of the proposed hybrid antagonistic actuation scheme. This work provides a practical basis for advanced control development and offers insights into hybrid actuation design for bionic robotic systems.