A robot capable of walking without electronics, powered solely by a compressed gas cartridge, has just been born.3D printed directly from a single material, it represents a major advance in robotics.This innovation opens new perspectives for various demanding applications.
Designed by the Bioinspired Robotics Laboratory at the University of California, San Diego, this robot revolutionizes the way we conceive autonomous machines. With a simplified approach using a desktop 3D printer and standard materials, each unit can be manufactured for about 20 dollars. It is a solution that is both robust and economical, accessible to a wide range of researchers and developers.
The key to this innovation lies in the use of flexible and soft materials, allowing for the creation of artificial muscles and a control system integrated into a single 3D print. This unique design eliminates the need for traditional rigid components, thereby simplifying the manufacturing process. Led by Professor Michael Tolley, this project marks a break from conventional methods of building robots.
The robot, equipped with six legs, is controlled by a pneumatic oscillating circuit that regulates the repetitive movements of the soft actuators, similar to the mechanism of a steam locomotive. This technology allows the robot to coordinate the movements of its legs, ensuring smooth and efficient walking in a straight line. Laboratory tests have shown that with a constant supply of compressed gas, the robot could operate continuously for three days.
The potential applications of these robots are vast, particularly in environments where electronics cannot function, such as high radiation zones, disaster response efforts, or even space exploration. Their ability to move across various surfaces, including grass, sand, and even underwater, makes them extremely versatile and suitable for a variety of missions.
The next steps of the project include developing solutions to store compressed gas directly inside the robots and using recyclable or biodegradable materials. Additionally, researchers are exploring the addition of manipulators, such as claws, to enhance the functional capabilities of the robots. This collaboration with BASF, through their California Research Alliance (CARA), has allowed for testing various soft materials compatible with standard 3D printers, paving the way for future innovations.
Partly funded by the National Science Foundation and presented at the 2022 Gordon Research Conference on Robotics, this project demonstrates the ongoing commitment of Tolley’s team to push the boundaries of robotics. Yichen Zhai, a postdoctoral researcher, is the lead author of the publication detailing this advancement, highlighting the importance of this breakthrough for the future of robotic technology.
Autonomous robots without electronics emerge directly from the 3D printer
Imagine a world where autonomous robots can materialize directly from a 3D printer, without requiring complex electronic components. This revolutionary innovation is becoming a reality thanks to researchers at the Bioinspired Robotics Laboratory at the University of California, San Diego. These robots, manufactured in a single print, use only a compressed gas cartridge to move, thus opening new perspectives in various fields.
How do these robots work without electronics?
These innovative robots leverage simplified technology that eliminates the need for internal electronic circuits. The secret lies in the use of flexible materials and an integrated pneumatic system. When a compressed gas cartridge is added, it activates the soft actuators that animate the robot’s legs, allowing it to walk autonomously. This unique manufacturing process enables the creation of robust and economical robots, with each unit costing about 20 dollars to produce.
Researchers developed a pneumatic oscillating circuit that coordinates the movements of the robot’s six legs. This system delivers alternating air pressure between two sets of three legs, thus ensuring stable and efficient walking. The simplicity of this design also allows for direct printing in a single piece using standard 3D printing filament, greatly facilitating the production and accessibility of this technology.
What are the benefits of this approach?
The use of soft materials and the absence of electronic components bring several significant advantages. First, the robustness of the robots is greatly improved, as they are not subject to common electronic failures. Moreover, the manufacturing method is extremely cost-effective, allowing for low-cost mass production. These robots can also be quickly manufactured directly from a home 3D printer, making the technology accessible to a larger number of researchers and developers.
Furthermore, this environmentally friendly approach is a major asset. Researchers are currently working on the use of recyclable or biodegradable materials, which could significantly reduce the environmental footprint of these robots. This initiative aligns perfectly with current trends aimed at making technologies more sustainable and environmentally friendly.
Another notable advantage is the flexibility of the robots. Capable of walking on various terrains, including grass, sand, and even underwater, they demonstrate impressive adaptability. This versatility opens the door to a multitude of applications, ranging from scientific reconnaissance in hostile environments to space exploration.
In what fields can these robots be used?
Autonomous robots without electronics have enormous potential across several sectors. For instance, in modern construction, they could revolutionize the way projects are managed by providing autonomous monitoring and maintenance solutions. Their ability to operate in extreme conditions also makes them ideal for scientific reconnaissance missions, particularly in highly irradiated areas or dangerous environments for humans.
In the event of natural disasters, these robots could quickly intervene to conduct search and rescue operations, traversing challenging terrains where humans cannot easily access. Additionally, in the field of space exploration, their electronic-free design makes them less vulnerable to the extreme conditions of space, thus offering a new dimension to robotic exploration missions.
Researchers are also considering applications in commerce and industry. For example, in automated warehouses, these robots could manage the transportation and storage of goods without requiring complex electronic infrastructure. Their low production cost would allow for rapid adoption and easy expansion in various industrial environments.
What challenges remain to be addressed?
Despite the promising advances, several technical challenges still need to be overcome to optimize these autonomous robots. One of the main obstacles is the internal storage of compressed gas. Currently, robots must be connected to an external gas source to operate continuously. Finding solutions to integrate gas reservoirs inside the robots is a priority to enable their total autonomy.
Another major challenge concerns the improvement of the materials used in the manufacturing of the robots. Although standard 3D printing filaments are effective, researchers are looking to develop even more efficient and durable materials. Collaboration with companies like BASF allows for the exploration and testing of new materials that could enhance the robots’ strength, flexibility, and durability.
The precise coordination of movements also remains an area to refine. Although the current pneumatic system permits stable walking, perfecting controls for more complex and fluid movements is essential to expand the capabilities of the robots. Researchers are working on more sophisticated pneumatic circuits that could allow a greater variety of movements and better responsiveness to changing environments.
What are the future prospects for this technology?
Future prospects for autonomous robots without electronics are extremely promising. Researchers plan to integrate soft actuators and more advanced control systems to increase the complexity of movements and the capabilities of the robots. The addition of manipulators, such as claws, could also broaden the possible applications, enabling robots to interact with their environment more precisely and usefully.
Research is also ongoing regarding the sustainability of the materials used. By developing biodegradable or recyclable filaments, researchers hope to further reduce the environmental impact of technology, making it more aligned with sustainable development goals. This initiative could also promote the use of robots in ecological sectors such as waste management or sustainable agriculture.
Another development avenue is the integration of internal gas storage systems. Advances in this area would enable robots to operate autonomously for extended periods without requiring frequent recharges. This would open the door to applications in isolated or hard-to-reach environments, where regular maintenance is impractical.
How does this innovation impact the construction industry?
The impact of this innovation on the construction industry is already visible. Autonomous robots without electronics can offer more efficient and less costly monitoring and maintenance solutions than traditional methods. Their ability to move across various terrains and operate in hostile environments makes them particularly suitable for tasks such as site monitoring or inspecting existing structures.
Moreover, integrating these robots into construction processes could enhance the accuracy and speed of operations. For example, they can be used to transport materials, inspect hard-to-reach areas, or even perform minor repairs, thereby reducing reliance on human labor and improving safety at construction sites.
In exploring innovative construction robots and their potential to revolutionize the construction industry, it becomes clear that this technology could radically transform current practices. Reduced production costs and ease of deployment allow for quicker and broader adoption, which could lead to a significant transformation of traditional construction methods.
In parallel, the impact of automation on modern construction, as discussed in the impact of automation on modern construction, illustrates how autonomous robots can not only increase efficiency but also introduce new dynamics into project management and team organization on the ground.
The growing adoption of these robots in the construction sector could also stimulate innovation and research in this field, encouraging further collaborations between universities, research laboratories, and industrial companies. This synergy is crucial for continuing to develop and improve autonomous robot technology, thus ensuring ongoing evolution and adaptation to the changing needs of the industry.
What partnerships and funding support this innovation?
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