conceive about robots unremarkably conjures up images of metal structures fromTerminatororiRobot . Roger Wood ’s science laboratory at Harvard University has gone in a slimly different direction and made an X - shaped soft - incarnate robot that move around like a headless toy dog . The golem can be exposed to fervency or get escape over by a auto , number out wholly whole .
The pneumatic soft - bodied robot was inspire by organism that move without stiff structures . This will earmark them to interact with humans more safely than traditional hard whole , with potential applications for search and saving or chemical substance disasters . The previous design is enceinte and stronger than old mannikin with another clear-cut advantage : it is not tethered to controls or a powerfulness origin .
“ Earlier versions of piano robots were all tethered , which works fine in some applications , but what we wanted to do was challenge people ’s concept of what a robot has to expect like , ” steer author Michael Tolley told theHarvard Gazette . “ We think the reason mass have settled on using metal and rigid materials for robots is because they ’re easy to mold and control condition . This work is very inhale by nature , and we wanted to march that soft materials can also be the foundation for robots . ”
Image credit rating : Harvard University / Joe Sherman
The current excogitation is 0.65 beat ( 2.1 feet ) long and is capable of carry 3.4 kg ( 7.4 lb ) of equipment on its back . As this is much larger thanprevious , tethered designs . The atmosphere imperativeness demand to lead the machine more than reduplicate , going from 7 hammering per square in ( psi ) up to 16 psi .
“ As soon as you start thinking about putting the canonic components you ask to make this study — micro - compressor , comptroller , and shelling — on an untethered golem , you involve a design that can bear those parts , ” Tolley continued . “ You need to opine about something that can handle much higher pressures , so there are materials challenge and there are design challenges and there are control challenges . ”
Ultimately , the textile that match the bill was a composite silicone arctic : strong , flexible , and not too grievous . Glass microspheres were added to firm rubber eraser , essentially creating tiny air pockets that made the design lighter . The bottom is coat with Kevlar , protect the unit as it crosses potentially - damaging terrain .
The robot has been tested against uttermost temperatures , submersion in piddle , fire , and even getting its legs run over by a car with no contrary result . The team desire to add sensors and get the robot move quicker in the future .
This untethered design is a massive accomplishment for diffuse robotics and is extremely cool . chink it out in activity here :
