Frequently Asked Questions

  • Beltdraulic™ is RISE Robotics' fluid-free, high-force electric actuation technology designed to deliver hydraulic-class force without using hydraulic fluid.

    At the core of the system are steel-reinforced polyurethane belts and a patented pulley arrangement that packages the belt into a compact linear actuator. RISE's technology manages how the belt bends and moves through the system while controlling stress and delivering high-force, high-cycle operation.

    The result combines the force capabilities associated with hydraulic actuation with the efficiency, sensing, precision and control of an electromechanical system.

  • Yes, Beltdraulic™ can be integrated into existing equipment with zero, minor, or substantial redesign, depending on application. Available space, force, stroke, speed, duty cycle and other system requirements all influence the appropriate configuration.

    The architecture also provides flexibility in how components are packaged within the machine, which can help accommodate applications where actuator space is constrained.

  • At scale, Beltdraulic™ is expected to cost about 50% more than an equivalent hydraulic circuit, but can be configured to each application’s requirements.  Factors including force, stroke, speed, dimensions, duty cycle and power requirements can all impact the cost.

  • Energy savings depend on the machine, application and duty cycle.

    Beltdraulic™ is designed to significantly improve actuation efficiency compared with conventional hydraulic systems. In normal operation, Beltdraulic is 75% efficient.  In applications that allow energy to be regenerated during operation, additional energy savings may also be possible.

    Improved actuation efficiency can be particularly valuable in battery-electric equipment, where reducing energy consumption can reduce operating expenses, extend operating time, reduce the amount of energy storage required, and/or reduce the cost of the charging infrastructure.

  • Hydraulics have powered heavy machinery for generations for good reason: they are powerful, proven and capable of delivering tremendous force.

    Beltdraulic™ provides an alternative for applications where manufacturers want hydraulic-class force along with the advantages of electric actuation.

    Because Beltdraulic™ is fluid-free, it eliminates hydraulic oil, hoses and many of the fluid-handling components associated with a conventional hydraulic system. It also enables digital control and sensing, allowing operators to monitor system health and integrate actuation more directly with increasingly electric, connected and automated machines.

    Depending on the application, Beltdraulic™ can also significantly improve efficiency, speed, and maintenance requirements.

  • Yes. In some applications, particularly where extremely compact packaging and high power density are the overriding requirements, hydraulics may remain the right solution.

    Beltdraulic™ provides another option for machine designers, particularly where efficiency, fluid elimination, digital control, sensing, electrification or automation provide meaningful value.

  • Conventional electromechanical actuators can become challenging when an application requires a combination of high force, speed and stroke.

    Beltdraulic™ was developed specifically to bring electric actuation into applications traditionally served by hydraulics. Its patented belt-and-pulley architecture enables high-force linear motion while retaining the control, sensing and efficiency advantages of an electric system.

    Beltdraulic™ can be configured for push, pull or double-acting operation depending on the requirements of the application.

  • Beltdraulic™ eliminates hydraulic fluid from the actuation system, removing the risk of hydraulic oil leaks from the actuator and the associated cleanup and contamination concerns.

    Its improved efficiency can also reduce the amount of energy required to operate equipment. That can be particularly valuable as manufacturers transition toward battery-electric and other lower-emission machine architectures.

    Because Beltdraulic™ is power-source agnostic, improvements in actuation efficiency can reduce energy demand regardless of how the machine's electrical power is generated.

Durability, Safety & Maintenance

Beltdraulic™ is designed for the environments where hydraulic systems work today. Here are answers to some of the most common questions we receive from engineers, technicians and heavy-equipment professionals about durability, failure and service.


  • In low duty cycle applications like liftgates, RISE’s belts are expected to last the life of the machine.

    In medium duty cycle applications like  mobile heavy machines, the belts are expected to be serviced half as frequently as an equivalent hydraulic system.

    In continuous load applications, the belts are expected to be serviced one-third as frequently as an equivalent hydraulic system.

    Beltdraulic™ is natively digital and includes embedded sensing to track operating information such as load history and cycle counts, providing insight into system health before routine service is required.

  • No. Although demonstration systems have occasionally shown exposed belts for explanation, the belts in production Beltdraulic™ cylinders are completely enclosed.

    The belts, bearings, pulleys and other internal components are environmentally sealed and rated for outdoor use. With the appropriate rod seal, the cylinder internals can be doubly sealed from the environment, up to IP67.

    This protects the belt from weather and obstacles that could otherwise be encountered at construction sites or other demanding environments.

  • Yes, Beltdraulic™ is engineered for continuous-duty operation. In these applications, the benefits of Beltdraulic (high efficiency, fast cycle time, and extended durability) shine, and the ROI period is 5x faster than in mobile heavy machines.

    In addition, Beltdraulic includes digital health monitoring, which tracks operating parameters and component conditions. This informs maintenance teams when to schedule downtime, rather than reacting to unexpected failure or expending effort in unnecessary preventative maintenance.

  • Like hydraulic hoses, cylinders and other mechanical components, it is possible for a belt to fail in operation.

    Beltdraulic™ systems incorporate overload protection that operates analogously to pressure-relief valves in fluid-power systems. Unlike hydraulic systems, RISE uses electronic monitoring systems that continuously assess belt condition to help identify potential issues before belt failure. 

    For safety-critical applications, hydraulic systems occasionally add linear holding devices to provide safety assurance. RISE can also use these devices for safety assurance during belt failure.

  • The specific overload-protection architecture for Beltdraulic™ can be tailored to the application and machine requirements. Mechanical overload protection features that protect the actuator and machine under excessive loads are included. In addition, the electronic controls can provide a flexible, software-configurable response not available in hydraulic systems (e.g., reducing the force on an upstream actuator to reduce the overload on a downstream actuator).

  • For safety-critical applications, RISE can integrate linear holding devices or rod-lock fail-safe solutions designed to support the cylinder position if electrical power or belt load-holding capability is lost.

    Similar safety devices have historically been developed for hydraulic systems and can be used in  Beltdraulic™ applications.

  • Safety architecture depends on the requirements of the machine.

    For safety-critical applications, RISE can incorporate linear holding devices designed to support cylinder position in the absence of belt load-holding capability. Electronic condition monitoring and overload protection provide additional layers of system information and protection.

    As with any actuation technology, the appropriate safety architecture is determined by the requirements of the specific application.

  • Beltdraulic™ has a fundamentally different maintenance profile from a hydraulic system.

    Because it is fluid-free, there is no hydraulic oil to monitor and no hydraulic filters, hoses or high-pressure fluid leaks to manage within the actuation system.

    Embedded sensing monitors operating information and component condition, helping maintenance teams identify service needs and plan maintenance proactively.

    Source: Built from previously approved social responses.

  • Yes. Reaching the end of a belt's service life does not mean replacing the entire cylinder.

    Beltdraulic™ cylinders are designed to be serviceable, and the internal belt can be replaced in the field using standard tools.  Because there is no hydraulic fluid to drain, servicing Beltdraulic is much faster than a hydraulic system.

    For our Beltdraulic Railgate, we project a cylinder or belt replacement in under four hours.

  • Beltdraulic™ incorporates electronic monitoring to assess belt condition and operating history.

    In addition, information such as load history and cycle counts can provide maintenance teams with insight into component conditions so service can be planned before an unexpected failure occurs.