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We developed a prototype actuator and tested it in five repetitive tasks with features common in robotic applications but difficult to perform efficiently. The actuator reduced power consumption by at least 50% in all cases and by 97% in the best case. Elastic energy recovery, controlled by low-power clutches, can improve the efficiency of mobile robots, assistive devices, and other engineered systems.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1126\/scirobotics.adj7246","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2024,3,20]],"date-time":"2024-03-20T17:58:17Z","timestamp":1710957497000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.34133\/aaas_crossmark","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":29,"title":["Elastic energy-recycling actuators for efficient robots"],"prefix":"10.1126","volume":"9","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-2644-5564","authenticated-orcid":true,"given":"Erez","family":"Krimsky","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA."}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-3997-3374","authenticated-orcid":true,"given":"Steven H.","family":"Collins","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA."},{"name":"Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA."}]}],"member":"221","reference":[{"key":"e_1_3_2_2_2","unstructured":"P. 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