A Groundbreaking Advancement: Modular Voxel Technology Sets to Revolutionize Swimming Robots and Gain Widespread Popularity
Introduction:
Bioinspired underwater robots that swim by undulating their bodies may soon become more energy-efficient and easier to build, thanks to a new modular robotics system being developed at MIT. The system uses hollow plastic boxes called voxels, which can maintain their overall body shape while flexing from side to side. The researchers built a snake-like robot using 20 voxels joined together, and the robot efficiently swam through water by sequentially compressing and relaxing its voxels. The voxel system can also be used to build wings that can change shape, offering potential applications in power generation and improved water navigation. The system’s scalability could even enable the development of whale-inspired submarines. The research findings were recently published in the journal Soft Robotics. Watch the video to see the Hydrosnake and morphing wing in action.
Full Article: A Groundbreaking Advancement: Modular Voxel Technology Sets to Revolutionize Swimming Robots and Gain Widespread Popularity
Modular Robotics System Enables Development of Energy-Efficient Underwater Robots
Researchers at MIT are developing a modular robotics system that could revolutionize the construction of underwater robots. Unlike traditional rigid robots, bioinspired underwater robots that swim by undulating their bodies are more energy-efficient. However, building these robots can be quite challenging. The new system incorporates individual building blocks called voxels, which are hollow plastic boxes made up of multiple narrow struts. These voxels are stiff and load-bearing when pushed in one direction but soft and flexible when pushed in others. This unique combination allows robots to maintain their overall body shape while flexing it from side to side, all without the need for complex custom-designed hardware.
Building a Snake-Like Robot with Voxels
To showcase the potential of the modular robotics system, the scientists built a snake-like robot, known as the “Hydrosnake,” using approximately 20 voxels joined end-to-end. Actuators within the robot’s body pull on the sides of the voxels via steel cables, causing the voxels to compress and relax sequentially to one side or the other. This motion produces undulations that travel from the front to the rear of the body, enabling efficient swimming through the water. In tow-tank tests, the Hydrosnake demonstrated its ability to swim efficiently using this undulating motion.
The Advantages of Voxels: Simplified Design and Construction
Compared to conventional robot components, which can number in the thousands, the Hydrosnake is made up of only about 60 individual voxels. This reduction in components simplifies the design and construction process significantly. For example, a previous snake-like robot developed by NASA required thousands of components, while the Hydrosnake was assembled in just a few days. The use of voxels also allows for the creation of morphing structures. In one demonstration, researchers built a wing using voxels with a profile shape that can change to alter its lift-to-drag ratio. The wing’s exterior features overlapping scale-like tiles that maintain a watertight seal while the curvature changes. Such wings could find applications in power generation systems utilizing ocean waves or improving the hydrodynamics of ships.
Future Applications and Publication
The scalability of the voxel system opens up possibilities for the development of larger applications. The researchers envision using voxels to create whale-inspired submarines that move by flexing mechanical flukes. The study, led by research assistant Alfonso Parra Rubio, Prof. Michael Triantafyllou, and Prof. Neil Gershenfeld, was recently published in the journal Soft Robotics. Through the development of this modular robotics system, MIT researchers are paving the way for the construction of energy-efficient and scalable underwater robots that mimic the movements of marine creatures.
Video: “Modular Morphing Lattices for Continuum Robotic Structures”
To see the Hydrosnake and the morphing wing in action, watch the video provided below.
[Video Placeholder]
Source: MIT
Summary: A Groundbreaking Advancement: Modular Voxel Technology Sets to Revolutionize Swimming Robots and Gain Widespread Popularity
Bioinspired underwater robots that swim by undulating their bodies may become more energy-efficient and easier to build with a new modular robotics system being developed at MIT. The system incorporates building blocks called voxels, which are hollow plastic boxes made up of stiff and flexible struts. This allows the robots to maintain their shape while flexing from side to side, enabling efficient swimming. The Hydrosnake robot, made up of voxels, was built in just a couple of days and has proven effective in swimming tests. The voxel system could also be used to create shape-changing wings for applications such as generating power from ocean waves or improving the efficiency of ships. The scalability of the voxel system could even lead to whale-inspired submarines that move through flexing mechanical flukes.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. What is the importance of robotics in today’s world?
Robotics plays a crucial role in various industries by automating repetitive tasks, enhancing efficiency, and improving safety. Additionally, robots are used for exploration, medical procedures, manufacturing processes, and even assisting individuals with disabilities. By incorporating robotics, businesses can boost productivity, streamline operations, and stimulate innovation.
2. How do robots perceive their surroundings?
Robots utilize various sensors, including cameras, lidars (light detection and ranging), and ultrasonic sensors, to perceive their surroundings. These sensors gather data about the environment, allowing the robot to make informed decisions and navigate autonomously. By analyzing the collected information, robots can adapt to changing conditions and interact with their surroundings effectively.
3. What are the different types of robots and their applications?
There are several types of robots classified based on their applications. Industrial robots are commonly used in manufacturing for tasks like assembly and welding. Service robots are often employed in healthcare, hospitality, and domestic settings to assist humans with tasks such as cleaning, patient care, and entertainment. Additionally, there are educational robots, surgical robots, autonomous vehicles, and humanoid robots, each fulfilling specific purposes within their respective fields.
4. Can robots replace humans in the workforce?
While robots are adept at automating repetitive and physically demanding tasks, the possibility of completely replacing human workers depends on the industry and the complexity of the job. In some cases, robots can increase productivity alongside human workers, enabling them to focus on more creative and cognitive tasks. However, collaboration between humans and robots is often preferred, as humans possess skills such as emotional intelligence and critical thinking, which are harder for machines to replicate.
5. What are the ethical considerations surrounding robotics?
With the advancement of robotics, ethical concerns arise. Issues such as job displacement, security, privacy, and the potential for autonomous weapons require careful consideration. Regulations and guidelines are being developed to ensure ethical practices and responsible use of robotics. Furthermore, the development of AI ethics frameworks and discussions around transparency and accountability are crucial in ensuring that robotics technology benefits society as a whole.
