The strongest robot in the world
At Harvard University, a team created a robot made of silicone that can move independently and resist the cold, fire and even run over by a car. This concept could pave the way for the production of more reliable and better adapted to extreme conditions robots.
A soft robot that plays hard ... Here is how you can describe the latest creation of the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University, which already has a concept of origami robot. A team led by Michael Tolley, postdoctoral research associate, developed an autonomous robot with no rigid skeleton that can withstand cold, heat and even run over by a car. 65 cm long, is in the form of a four-pointed star in the center of which are the battery and pneumatic transport.
The body of the robot is made of silicone with a compound of compartments that communicate let the compressed air supplied by a small compressor structure. Under the effect of this pressure, the robot walking forward at a speed of 18 meters per hour, you can read in the scientific paper published in the journal Soft Robotics. You may also move in waves, but the maximum speed is then only two meters per hour. The researchers explain that silicone has the advantage of withstanding large temperature amplitudes, is waterproof, UV resistant, flame (for a limited time) and corrosive substances.
The tests were carried out to test the resistance of the robot. The Wyss Institute team has worked its funny starfish: forced in the snow with a temperature of -9 ° C, exposure to direct heat for 20 seconds, progress in water and acid attack. Finally, a car rolled over him. Silicone endured the pressure and the robot continued its journey without damage. It should be noted, however, that this attempt to crush is limited to only one of its four members and has saved its central part containing the electronics, motor and battery. This is also the area where residents key technical barriers. Researchers believe they can divide the components in the robot body to better protect them. Also depend on the future evolution of Flexible electronics including battery and pneumatic system.
Such monolithic structure is cheaper to produce and potentially more reliable than a skeleton made of different moving parts. But the computer recognizes that this tire type robot has several drawbacks. His movements are less accurate, which are less reactive and can be perforated by a blunt obstacle. Anyway, this work opens interesting to design robots made of flexible material that is both stronger and more suitable for direct contact with humans perspectives.
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