Using magnetic fields instead of mechanical drives, the SIMbot glides smoothly over flat surfaces. This could be a predecessor for ‘wandering in the hall’ robots’ which monitor large buildings and a host of other applications. The SimBot demo in an an office environment, a likely market for future models (Image via Carnegie Mellon University)
It doesn’t look like much, but the design could forebode a new era in robotics. The SIMbot-or spherical induction motor robot- moves according to the direction of current generated from a metal ball at its base. The ball which balances the robot is the only moving part of the system, eliminating much of the circuitry and wiring so typical of robotics devices. The induction system allows a tall, slender machine to balance on a moving ball without tipping over.
It’s a simple design, and researchers at Carnegie Mellon University’s Intelligent lab are tinkering with the process to make it more efficient and cost-effective. The ball, slightly smaller than a bowling ball, is made of a metal alloy. Inside the ball is an induction system, which generates electric current using magnetic fields. Because the rotor is spherical, the system can push the robot in any direction. And the SimBot is what the developers call “inherently compliant”- a fancy term that means you can push it out of your way and it won’t resist the push, simply moving effortlessly in the other direction.
Because the mechanical drive systems have been eliminated, this cuts down on maintenance and repair, since there are fewer moving parts that can break. What demand is there for such a robot? Should we expect to see more such designs in the upcoming years? The SimBot can move easily along any flat surface, but trying to navigate stairs and irregular surfaces could be disastrous-the little ball it balances on isn’t sophisticated enough to do that well. One such market may be hospitals and large offices. Capable of going anywhere along a flat surface, capacious buildings that need a lot of monitoring of activity and delivery of goods may find such an automated machine highly useful. Imagine an IV cart that didn’t need to be pushed, or mail service. Security systems may also begin to automate parts of routine scanning. With a bit more advances made in the design, the ballbot may come into more use.
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