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Soft robot: like a caterpillar, but ultra-fast

#3d printing #human-machine cooperation #medicine #robotics

A new type of "soft" robot from the University of Linz moves like a caterpillar - and ultra-fast. Thanks to its contractions, it can also overcome obstacles, swim or grasp things. In short: a system with potential, especially in the field of human-machine interaction.

The robot moves like a caterpillar.

With the naked eye, it can hardly be followed, the new "soft robot" of the research group led by Martin Kaltenbrunner from the Department of Soft Matter Physics at the University of Linz. The inverted U-shaped system can be controlled so precisely with applied electricity that it can overcome obstacles, carry objects and cover distances "ultra-fast". There are still a lot of plans for this type of robot.

The small multi-layered rectangular structure made of deformable plastics (elastomers) has, besides a printed channel structure filled with liquid metal in its centre as well as "feet" at its two short ends. The structure, produced in a special 3D printer, results in the system curving in a U-shape. The movable metal grid can be controlled by electrical impulses and an external magnetic field. In this way, it is possible to switch very quickly between a little and a lot of curvature.

Faster than a Formula 1 car

Depending on the nature of the surface on which the "soft robot" moves, systems in which the movement impulse is transmitted externally via a connected contact achieve speeds of up to 70 body lengths of the structure per second. For comparison: a Formula 1 car manages around 50 body lengths per second.

The structure with battery and co. on the back particularly appealed to the researchers. Such an energy-autonomous system has never existed before. This is important because "the big dream" is that such mini-robot systems may one day be able to perform small operations in the body more or less independently, for example, or deliver active substances very specifically where they are needed.

Written by: sda

Photos: Screenshot Youtube

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With the help of artificial intelligence (AI) a research team at the University Children's Hospital in Zurich has defined new criteria for the diagnosis of blood poisoning. This could improve the early detection of this dangerous disease.
March 10th, 2024
plastic waste in a garbage bin

Microplastics could promote cancer

According to a new study, tiny plastic particles can be passed on during cell division. This could potentially favour the spread of cancer.
April 15th, 2024
a baby in a newborn ward

AI diagnoses heart defects in babies

An artificial intelligence (AI) developed by Zurich researchers recognises a specific heart defect in newborns. According to the researchers, it has the potential to reduce the number of missed diagnoses of pulmonary hypertension.
April 29th, 2024
the new robot can mimic the softness of materials

Robot reproduces the softness of materials

A new robot can precisely mimic the softness of various materials. In future, medical students could use it to practise detecting malignant tumours or researchers could feel the softness of an object in space.
May 6th, 2024
PEBE

Are CO2 absorbers the saviors of the climate crisis?

In the fight against climate change, gigatons of carbon dioxide will have to be removed from the atmosphere over the course of the century - using so-called carbon dioxide removal (CDR) technologies are giving people new hope.
June 12th, 2024
pedestrians at a zebra crossing

New car camera detects pedestrians 100 times faster

A new type of car camera recognises obstacles 100 times faster than previous driver assistance systems. In future, this technology should help to brake cars in good time if a pedestrian suddenly runs into the road.
August 5th, 2024
Pedestrians walk on planks across a flooded square in Switzerland.

Climate change causes global economy to shrink significantly

According to a new forecast, the global economy is at risk of shrinking by around a fifth by the middle of the century due to climate change.
August 19th, 2024