Scientists on the Max-Planck-Institute for Clever Programs (MPI-IS) have developed hexagon-shaped robotic elements, known as modules, that may be snapped collectively LEGO-style into high-speed robots that may be rearranged for various capabilities. The staff of researchers from the Robotic Supplies Division at MPI-IS, led by Christoph Keplinger, built-in synthetic muscle groups into hexagonal exoskeletons which can be embedded with magnets, permitting for fast mechanical and electrical connections. The staff’s work, “Hexagonal electrohydraulic modules for quickly reconfigurable high-speed robots” will likely be revealed in Science Robotics on September 18, 2024.
Six light-weight inflexible plates created from glass fiber function the exoskeleton of every HEXEL module. The inside joints of the hexagons are pushed by hydraulically amplified self-healing electrostatic (HASEL) synthetic muscle groups. Making use of a excessive voltage to the module causes the muscle to activate, rotating the joints of the hexagon and altering its form from lengthy and slim to vast and flat.
“Combining smooth and inflexible elements on this means allows excessive strokes and excessive speeds. By connecting a number of modules, we will create new robotic geometries and repurpose them for altering wants,” says Ellen Rumley, a visiting researcher from the College of Colorado Boulder. She and Zachary Yoder, who’re each Ph.D. college students working within the Robotic Supplies Division, are co-first authors of the publication.
In a video, the staff reveals the various behaviors that may be created with HEXEL modules. A gaggle of modules crawls by a slim hole, whereas a single module actuates so quick that it could leap into the air. A number of modules are linked into bigger buildings that produce totally different motions relying on how the modules are connected. As an example, the staff mixed a number of modules right into a robotic which quickly rolls.
“On the whole, it makes lots of sense to develop robots with reconfigurable capabilities. It is a sustainable design choice — as a substitute of shopping for 5 totally different robots for 5 totally different functions, we will construct many various robots through the use of the identical elements. Robots created from reconfigurable modules could possibly be rearranged on demand to supply extra versatility than specialised programs, which could possibly be useful in resource-limited environments”, Yoder concludes.
