Tiny Soft Robot Walks and Grips Without Motors
We often see them as pests, so it is easy to overlook just how capable insects really are. Despite their tiny size, they can easily navigate difficult terrain, manipulate objects, and adapt to their surroundings. We can't even come close to replicating their abilities in robots of a similar size. Conventional electric motors, gears, and other mechanical components are simply too bulky and complex for the job. Now, researchers from KAIST have developed a different approach with BeetleBot, a miniature soft robot that walks using artificial muscles.
Described in a paperpublished in Science Advances, BeetleBot takes inspiration from the anatomy and movement of real beetles. It can walk forward, turn left or right, and grip objects, all without relying on traditional motors to produce those movements. It also incorporates a camera, pressure sensors, and a wearable control interface that allows a human operator to direct its movements using finger...
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