For several years now, robotics researchers have been eyeing a new type of mechanical system: adaptive mechanisms. These systems use their mechanical architecture to react intelligently to external stimulus without needing to go through an electronic control system. The highly particular systems perform extremely well while costing less than traditional systems.
Upon completing his doctoral degree at Laval University in 2004, Professor Birglen established a unified theory for adaptive mechanisms that could be applied to prehension. Thanks to the infrastructure this has yielded, Birglen and his team can focus on the behaviour of these new mechanisms with the twofold aim of determining their limits and improving their performance. The juxtaposition of advanced control techniques and adaptive mechanisms will allow adaptive mechanotronic systems to be created--a world first. The laboratory will be equipped with a real-time control system complemented by workstations, two mobile robots, activators and sensors. Thanks to this infrastructure, new demonstration prototypes can be developed with a view to convincing Quebec industrial stakeholders on the advantages of this new technology, especially in aerospace and medical applications.

The total cost of the project is $255,764. The CFI and the Ministère de l'Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport have each contributed $101,594. The project has also received contributions from both industrial partners and from Polytechnique itself.