The caterpillar-shaped soft robot splits and re-attaches itself. (Image Credit: Frank Wojciechowski/Princeton University)
Princeton and North Carolina State University engineers developed an origami-like soft robot capable of bending and twisting through mazes easily. And this one has a built-in steering system, allowing the robot to keep its rigidity down and remain flexible.
"We have created a bio-inspired plug-and-play soft modular origami robot enabled by electrothermal actuation with highly bendable and adaptable heaters," Glaucio Paulino said. "This is a very promising technology with potential translation to robots that can grow, heal, and adapt on demand."
The robot is made of modular, cylindrical segments that enable it to move and change direction. Each segment can either work as a separate unit or attach to the others, forming a longer system. It's also capable of picking up objects and crawling forward/reversing. Interestingly, the segments have a Kresling pattern, making it possible for them to coil into a flat disk before reverting into a cylindrical form. The robot gains the ability to crawl and change course through twisting and expanding movements. If the cylinder section partially folds, the team can make a segment laterally bend. The robot can change direction while moving forward when each segment bends.
"Each segment can be an individual unit, and they can communicate with each other and assemble on command," Tuo Zhao, a postdoctoral researcher at Princeton, said. "They can separate easily, and we use magnets to connect them."
Additionally, the North Carolina State University team used thin strips made of liquid crystal elastomer and polyimide, placing them along the Kresling pattern creases. When heated, these strips shrink or expand, helping control the bending/folding that moves the robot. In addition, the team integrated a thin, stretchable silver nanowire heater along each crease. Applying electricity to the heater causes the strips to heat up. From there, both materials expand, causing the strip to fold. With the current and material calibration, the team has more control over the folding and bending to propel the robot's movement and steering.
However, this version isn't very fast, so the team is looking into enhancing its locomotion for future types. It's worth noting the team will test out various shapes, patterns, and instability for speed and steering improvements.
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