This invention provides a drive device for a continuum
robot, comprising a base; multiple fixed pulleys and spaced
rope perforation plates; a
variable stiffness mechanism supported on the base and located between adjacent
rope perforation plates, which has M
variable stiffness cams arranged along a common first axis. Each
variable stiffness cam changes the tension of the corresponding drive
rope after passing through the fixed pulleys by changing its own
radius; multiple
cam mechanism assemblies are respectively arranged between two adjacent rope perforation plates, and each
cam mechanism
assembly has M drive cams arranged along a common second axis. Each drive cam has a follower on its upper part, and each drive rope passes through the top of a corresponding follower. During the rotation of the drive cam, the bottom end of the follower makes rolling contact with the top end of the drive cam, and the follower moves radially along the drive cam by changing the
radius of the drive cam itself, thereby changing the length of the drive rope. This invention can reduce the number of drive motors, simplify control, and improve the stiffness of the continuum
robot.