A research paper on an artificial muscle actuator jointly developed by Samsung Electronics and Ajou University has been recognized globally, and is expected to be applied to small wearable devices in the future, serving as a core hardware technology for next-generation realistic interaction.

Samsung Electronics announced on the 1st that a research paper on an ultra-lightweight and ultra-thin artificial muscle actuator jointly developed with Ajou University was recently published in the world-renowned academic journal 'Nature Communications'.

This research was recognized for extending the applicability of artificial muscle actuators, which were previously mainly used in the field of robotics, to the small wearable sector. An actuator is a system that can move an object by applying pressure or measure the pressure of an artificial muscle.

The 'Samsung Electronics-Ajou University joint research team' included Samsung Electronics researcher Shin Bong-soo and researchers Kim Dong-jin and Kim Baek-gyeom from the research team led by Professor Ko Je-seong of Ajou University as co-first authors.

The research team developed a multifunctional artificial muscle actuator based on shape memory alloy and applied it to wearable devices such as AR glasses (glasses-type augmented reality devices) and haptic gloves, demonstrating the advanced technology and practical applicability of the artificial muscle actuator.

In the field of virtual environments, research on actuators and sensors is underway to enhance immersion. Actuators and sensors applied to AR and VR wearable devices must be small and lightweight for wearability, while also implementing complex visual and tactile functions.

To overcome the limitations of existing electromagnetic motor-based actuators, the research team designed an ultra-lightweight (0.22g) and ultra-thin (less than 5mm) multi-functional actuator combining shape memory alloy-based artificial muscle and a flexible element, and demonstrated its actual effectiveness in wearable devices.

As a result of applying it to AR glasses, the research team confirmed the effect of reducing visual fatigue experienced by users. By directly adjusting the distance between the display and the AR glasses' optical system according to the focal length of an object, the actuator mitigated the convergent accommodation mismatch phenomenon that causes visual fatigue.

In addition, when applied to tactile transmission gloves, the research team confirmed that it could provide a tactile sensation similar to pressing with a real hand.

The actuator has the advantage of being able to measure pressure without a separate sensor, so a tactile transmission glove incorporating it is very thin yet capable of recognizing Braille and the like. Converting perceived Braille into electrical signals and transmitting them can also be utilized in future telehaptics technology.

This joint research demonstrated the potential of core hardware technologies for next-generation immersive interaction. Samsung Electronics plans to continue researching innovative technologies through industry-academia collaborations and other means.