Robotics is perhaps one of the most rapidly developing branches of modern high technologies. In manufacturing, robots are used the most advanced developments. And recently, experts from South Korea have created the first deployable robot made of soft materials, capable of moving without the use of motors and other mechanical components.
The robot has received the name DeployBot and is set in motion in the case when an electric current passes through the wires, consisting of a metal with shape memory, which are built into some of the details of the case. The robot has a modular structure. The electrical current heats the components, what makes the flexible segments to move. Regulator the power supply gives the opportunity to supply electricity separately for different segments of the moving robot.
The main advantage of this approach is the reliability of use in any environment due to the lack of mechanical systems. The researchers suggest that DeployBot can be easily used to study the deep sea. And low cost of production and ease of design makes it an ideal candidate for space missions. One of the leaders of the project, the Faison sun-Achn Hoon of Seoul National University said:
“DeployBot going up of eight modules: four for body and one for each of the four legs. When folded, the modules lie on the same surface, and once deployed, they transformirovalsya in a square shape. The modules are made of rigid and flexible materials, and contain integrated magnets that connect and hold several modules together. Inserts made of metal with shape memory are responsible for the deployment and folding of the modules. It takes a few seconds.”
Now the main disadvantage of the robot is travel speed, not exceeding 2 meters per hour, but scientists and engineers are planning to expand the functionality of the robot and increase the speed of his movements in the future. For example, in new versions DeployBot they plan to use not only electric current but also magnetic fields, and pneumatic actuators.
DeployBot first deployed a walking soft robot
Vladimir Kuznetsov