This is quite an amazing little robot. Nature has provided a very adaptable example to follow in this case. Inspired by the lowly cockroach, it is as tough to destroy as its real-life model. It can survive a fall of 90 feet and scurry off like it has seen a can of Raid. Built so that it uses only one motor, this roachbot turns by flexing and slightly deforming its frame. You have to see the video on You Tube to see the robo roach in action. It has always been said that if there is ever a nuclear war, only the roaches would survive. Now, it may be that the robotic roaches will be there too! Check out the story at IEEE by clicking on the link below or read the article at ZDNet by following the link in the quote below.
Credit: Biomimetic Millisystems Lab and UC Berkeley
IEEE Spectrum writes of a small resilient robot created by Paul Birkmeyer and Prof. Ronald Fearing at the Biomimetic Millisystems Lab at UC Berkeley.
Aptly called DASH (Dynamic Autonomous Sprawled Hexapod), the six-legged insect-inspired robot can reach speeds of 1.5 meters per second and is flexible/strong enough to be dropped from a height of 28 meters without breaking. A single DC motor powers the legs and a small servomotor to slightly deform the robot’s body, allowing it to make turns.
Emerging Technology Trends – http://blogs.zdnet.com/emergingtech/
Resilient cockroach-inspired robot survives large falls, dashes …
Chris Jablonski
Wed, 14 Oct 2009 15:01:48 GMT
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