Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42513068›Full record

ArticleMicromachines2026

BAM-STR: A Bio-Inspired Soft Tensegrity Robot Driven by McKibben Pneumatic Artificial Muscles.

Yang Jiang, Xinyuan Yang, Zihao Zuo, Yunkai Chen, Shizhuo Zhang, Hong Jiang, Shaojie Gu, Yanhong Peng

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Micromachines, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Yang JiangSchool of Mechanical Engineering, Chongqing University of Technology, Banan, Chongqing 400054, China.
Xinyuan YangSchool of Mechanical Engineering, Chongqing University of Technology, Banan, Chongqing 400054, China.
Zihao ZuoSchool of Mechanical Engineering, Chongqing University of Technology, Banan, Chongqing 400054, China.ORCID 0009-0007-4079-5441
Yunkai ChenSchool of Mechanical Engineering, Chongqing University of Technology, Banan, Chongqing 400054, China.
Shizhuo ZhangSchool of Mechanical Engineering, Chongqing University of Technology, Banan, Chongqing 400054, China.
Hong JiangSchool of Mechanical Engineering, Chongqing University of Technology, Banan, Chongqing 400054, China.
Shaojie GuMagnesium Research Center, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 860-8555, Japan.ORCID 0000-0002-3995-3007
Yanhong PengSchool of Mechanical Engineering, Chongqing University of Technology, Banan, Chongqing 400054, China.ORCID 0000-0002-2162-3798

Funding

Chongqing Municipal Bureau of Human Resources and Social Security CSTB2025YCJH-KYXM0046Cooperative Project between Chinese Academy of Sciences and University in Chongqing HZ2021011Innovative Research Group of Chongqing Municipal Education Commission CXQT19026Institute of Light Metals (ILM) Joint Usage / Research Grant, Kumamoto University and University of Toyama 2026-2-K12Young Project of Science and Technology Research Program of Chongqing Education Commission of China KJQN202501166
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Tensegrity structures have lightweight, compliant, impact-resistant, and large-deformation characteristics, providing a deformable structural solution for mobile robots in complex environments. Inspired by earthworm peristaltic locomotion, this study proposes BAM-STR, a soft tensegrity robot driven by McKibben pneumatic artificial muscles. The robot adopts a three-layer, three-strut tensegrity structure, and the McKibben pneumatic artificial muscles are arranged at the diagonal and additional tendon positions to generate axial-radial coupled deformation under low-pressure actuation. A bio-inspired segmented peristaltic waveform control strategy is further designed. By sequentially activating and releasing the artificial muscles in the three tensegrity units, the robot generates an axially propagating deformation wave and achieves continuous forward crawling. Experimental results show that BAM-STR can achieve approximately 31% axial contraction and 21% radial expansion at an input pressure of 100kPa. When the control time interval is ΔT=1.0-1.25s, the robot reaches its maximum average crawling speed of approximately 6.5mm/s. Multi-scenario experiments further show that BAM-STR can adapt to channel widths ranging from 190 to 235mm, complete continuous crawling while carrying an additional payload of 200g, and maintain forward locomotion on a rough artificial grass surface. These results indicate that BAM-STR has path-width adaptability, load-carrying crawling capability, and rough-ground adaptability.

Indexed as

bio-inspired locomotionMcKibben pneumatic artificial muscleperistaltic crawlingsoft tensegrity robot

Identifiers

PMID42513068
PMCPMC13413554

What Socratic holds

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LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.