Most of the time when we hear the word robotics, it brings to mind all the different robots that we’ve seen in movies and television shows. But as we’ve seen in real life stories, they come in all shapes and forms, not just the ones that might become our overlords someday when we eventually get an uprising. A lot of times we also think of them as complex and high technology creatures that need to be assembled. An experiment by roboticists in a university prove that we can also have “low tech” and soft robots with the power of 3D printing and the most unlikely element: air.
Designer:
Roboticists at the Bioinspired Robotics Laboratory at the University of California San Diego have developed innovative, electronics-free robots that can walk without any electronic components. This soft-bodied robot was 3D-printed for 58 hours in one, single process from a single material, a piece of soft and flexible thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). The robot has six legs, each with four degrees of freedom, allowing for complex movements. They also incorporate artificial muscles and a control system within a single 3D-printed structure.
Another interesting thing about this robot is that instead of using the usual electric motors, the legs are moved by compressed air flowing through an internal pneumatic oscillating circuit. The robots function using only a compressed gas cartridge, eliminating the need for traditional electronic systems. The air triggers TPU actuators so the legs move as two sets of three limbs so it can walk through, or more accurately, waddle, across different kinds of surfaces and terrains. When connected to a constant air or gas source, the robots can operate continuously for up to three days. But on its own though, the runtime is of course according to the capacity of the CO2 cannister.
So why would you need something like this? These electronics-free robots are ideal for use in environments where conventional electronics may fail or are unsuitable. This includes disaster response scenarios or areas with strong radiation which will not be safe for humans, and maybe eventually even space exploration. This ingenious blend of 3D printing and pneumatics unveils a fascinating new path in robotics. By stripping away complex electronics and embracing the simplicity of air power, these soft robots open up exciting possibilities for exploration and assistance in challenging and unpredictable environments. They stand as a testament to the fact that innovation doesn’t always require intricate components; sometimes, the most groundbreaking solutions arise from cleverly harnessing fundamental forces and advanced manufacturing techniques.
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