New Concept and Challenges for a Next-Generation Chewing Robot

Abstract

Food texture analysis, bolus preparation and interaction between food and mastication system during chewing process through in vitro experiments are research hotspots in the field of food science and dental research. Several chewing robots have been developed for different applications, but they can only reproduce part of the oral function. Inspired by internal combustion engine, this research aims to present the concept and challenges of developing the next generation chewing robot with a set of chambers and chewing trajectories to prepare bolus for further research. For this new crankshaft-based chewing robot, a set of chewing trajectories can be generated simultaneously with only one motor. A V-shaped food repositioning mechanism is considered to achieve the automatic food repositioning without extra actuators.