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!
Go Monty! You can do it!
This robot named Monty is a dynamically balancing robot designed and built by Trevor Blackwell of Anybots Inc. This robot has been trained to throw and catch a ball. It appears to drop the ball often, but the robot Monty does catch the ball when Trevor Blackwell throws it. I think this robot is cool because it not only balances on 2 wheels, it also is able to catch a ball with it’s mechanical robot hand and throw it back without falling over.
It’s hard to imagine building a robot that who’s sole purpose is to fall over on itself. However those researching robotic wheels have done just that. In fact their main purpose was to demonstrate a new method of robot locomotion that doesn’t require electric motors or gasoline engines. These “robowheels” are run by flexing the outside rim into different shapes allowing the start falling in a certain direction until it’s in a constant state of motion. The spokes are made of a smart material known as a shape memory alloy, or “memory metal”. Shape memory alloy is a very flexible metal, but is very unique in that when heated, or electrified, it will return to a rigid state. In order for these robot wheels to propel, they just make certain spokes rigid and certain spokes soft. The only downfall is that they are slow to start and stop, but they can travel over extremely rough terrain. These robot wheels can even jump in the air after first squishing flat to their lowest position and then quickly deforming to their tallest thinest shape. Using this design, it is even possible to make a full rolling ball that could never fall over! But of course it will indefinitely be trying to fall over. If you are interested in playing with shape memory alloy, you can buy it online. Making your own robot wheel with the Parallax Propeller chip would be a fun project.
If you are interested in playing with shape memory alloy, you can buy it online. Making your own robot wheel with the Parallax Propeller chip would be a fun project.