Carnegie Mellon University researchers have developed soft robots that can transition seamlessly between different tasks such as walking, swimming, crawling and rolling without needing to reconfigure or make major adjustments. This breakthrough is made possible by a bistable actuator which is simple, stable and durable, and is inspired by nature’s ability to quickly adapt to its environment. This development in soft robotics could lead to robots that are more dynamic and able to quickly adjust to different tasks and environments. The bistable actuator could also be used in a variety of applications, from medical devices to industrial robots. This research is a major step forward in the field of soft robotics and could revolutionize the way robots are used in the future.
This research team from Carnegie Mellon University has developed a revolutionary bistable actuator made of 3D-printed soft rubber and shape-memory alloy springs. This actuator can be used to change the shape of robots in response to electrical currents, allowing them to transition from walking to swimming to crawling to jumping. This technology could be a major breakthrough in bio-inspired and soft robotics, enabling robots to mimic the movements of animals. The actuator is easy to use and can be programmed to remain in its new shape until another electrical charge is applied, making it a versatile and powerful tool for robotics engineers.
This article discusses a robot created by a team of researchers at the University of Michigan led by Professor Carmel Majidi. The robot is designed to be able to both walk and swim, and is equipped with four curved actuators attached to the corners of a cellphone-sized body made of two bistable actuators. This design is more efficient than having separate systems for each environment, as it reduces complexity and weight. The robot was created by Xiaonan Huang, an assistant professor of robotics at the University of Michigan and Majidi’s former Ph.D. student. This robot is an example of how advances in robotics technology can be used to create more efficient and versatile robots that can move in both land and water environments.
This team of engineers created two robots that can crawl, jump, and roll. Powered by actuators that require only a hundred milliseconds of electrical charge to change their shape, these robots are incredibly durable and can be used in a variety of applications. To demonstrate their durability, the team had a person ride a bicycle over one of the actuators multiple times and changed their robots’ shapes hundreds of times. This innovative engineering technology can be used for search and rescue, entertainment, and more. With their robots, this team of engineers has created a product that is both useful and reliable.
Robots are becoming increasingly important in rescue and environmental monitoring. They can detect changes in temperature, pressure, and other environmental factors, as well as provide assistance in rescue situations. Heat-activated springs in the actuators open up new possibilities in haptics, reconfigurable electronics, and communication. Robots can also interact with sea animals and coral, helping us to better understand and protect our environment. In the future, robots will be an invaluable tool for rescue and environmental monitoring, providing assistance in times of need and helping us to better protect our planet.
