Here is a robot that is the first of it’s kind, and a little odd too. This is a blob-like robot that inflates and deflates different areas of the outer body in order to roll a certain direction. The robotic shape-shifting principle is similar to the older robotic wheel design, these robots basically are always “tumbling over” rather than rolling. In order to maintain a constant rolling motion, they basically are in a constant state of “falling over” in a controlled direction. However in contrast to the older wheel design, this robot cannot fall on it’s side because it can roll in any axis. Also, this robot is capable of becoming extremely flat in order to fit under or through something. It’s a brilliant design and is capable of many new kinds of applications. At this point most the development is geared toward the military since there is a demand from DARPA for new kinds of spider-like robots. Some of these new robots could get pretty scary!

Links:

http://spectrum.ieee.org/blog/robotics/robotics-software/automaton/irobot-soft-morphing-blob-chembot

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10375216-1.html

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17912_3-9970345-72.html?tag=mncol;txt

http://news.cnet.com/8301-10784_3-9935339-7.html?tag=mncol;txt