Robot homemade new structure depending on the environment

Research team from the Institute of Technology of Tartu, Estonia, developed robots with the ability to create new structures right during operation, Interesting Engineering On 8/3 reported. Inspired by the way spiders create complex silk structures, robots use a special polymer to be warmed to perform this miracle. New research published in magazines npj Robotics.

Traditional robots often have fixed parts made in the factory before. This sometimes makes them rigid or lacking. New research gives robots the ability to own the components according to the working environment.

The polymer in the new robot is stored in a liquid form, then sprayed through a heated nozzle. It can spray directly into the environment, stick to many different surfaces and quickly cool down, becoming flexible and firm fibers. This is somewhat similar to the way the spider is silk.

The team tested new robots in many situations, including building a bridge over the gap. In this test, the fiber spraying robot through an area of ​​a simulated disaster filled with sharp fragments (glass fragments) or soft materials (bird feathers), forming a bridge. The new bridge is strong enough for a small toy car to run through.

In the second test, the robot creates temporary tools, for example, a delicate clamp can pick up the flower without ruining it. This type of tool can do the tasks that the pre -made robot clamps are difficult or unable to perform.

The third test requires robots to cling to many different surfaces. As a result, polymer fibers easily stick to the surface difficult such as smooth teflon, oil sponge with oil and plain leaves. This ability to grip is achieved through mechanical entanglement and natural physical adhesion, spider web simulation.

The new robot has great application potential. It can rescue in natural disasters thanks to the ability to move quickly and safely through dangerous debris by building a bridge. Robots can also operate in the field of construction and technology, allowing the construction of temporary structures on the spot, reducing the demand for manufacturing first and helping the building to be more adaptable.

“Our method is inspired by spiders, talented engineers of nature, but we have found a gap to help avoid the limitations and excessive complexity if it directly imitates the spider,” said Marie Vihmar, the main author of the study. This is a breakthrough step towards real adaptive robots, biological inspiration with realistic techniques to make robots that can immediately change their own shape and surrounding environment.