Researchers at University of California, San Diego have developed a groundbreaking six-legged robot that can walk without electronics or complex assembly. This unique robot runs on compressed gas and is 3D-printed in one go using a single material. According to its creators, the robot is ready to walk as soon as a gas cartridge is attached, making it a major innovation in robotics.
The researchers wanted to develop robots that don’t need extra assembly after being 3D-printed, they can start walking right away. These robots use air for power instead of electricity and are made from soft, bendable materials instead of rigid ones. Plus, they are very affordable, with each robot costing only about $20 to produce.
“This is a completely new way of building machines,” said Michael Tolley, a professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at UC San Diego and the study’s senior author.
To make the robots move, the researchers designed a special air-powered system similar to how steam engines work. This system controls the robot’s soft legs by sending air pressure in a pattern, making three legs move at a time. Each leg can move in four directions: up, down, forward, and backward, allowing the robot to walk in a straight line.
In lab tests, the robots worked continuously for three days as long as they had a steady air or gas supply.
These innovative robots are designed to function in extreme environments where traditional electronic devices would fail, such as high-radiation areas, disaster zones, or even space. In laboratory tests, they demonstrated impressive durability, running continuously for three days when connected to a steady air or gas supply.
Outdoor trials further proved their versatility, as they successfully moved untethered using a compressed gas cartridge, navigating different terrains like grass, sand, and even underwater.
Looking ahead, researchers plan to enhance these robots by integrating built-in compressed gas storage for greater mobility, using recyclable or biodegradable materials to make them more eco-friendly, and equipping them with manipulators like grippers to expand their range of applications.
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