Scientists on the Max-Planck-Institute for Clever Methods (MPI-IS) have developed hexagon-shaped robotic elements, referred to as modules, that may be snapped collectively LEGO-style into high-speed robots that may be rearranged for various capabilities. The workforce of researchers from the Robotic Supplies Division at MPI-IS, led by Christoph Keplinger, built-in synthetic muscle mass into hexagonal exoskeletons which might be embedded with magnets, permitting for fast mechanical and electrical connections. The workforce’s work, “Hexagonal electrohydraulic modules for quickly reconfigurable high-speed robots” will probably be printed in Science Robotics on September 18, 2024.
Six light-weight inflexible plates constructed from glass fiber function the exoskeleton of every HEXEL module. The internal joints of the hexagons are pushed by hydraulically amplified self-healing electrostatic (HASEL) synthetic muscle mass. 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 huge and flat.
“Combining tender and inflexible elements on this approach 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 workforce reveals the various behaviors that may be created with HEXEL modules. A bunch of modules crawls by means of a slim hole, whereas a single module actuates so quick that it might probably leap into the air. A number of modules are related into bigger buildings that produce totally different motions relying on how the modules are hooked up. As an illustration, the workforce mixed a number of modules right into a robotic which quickly rolls.
“Usually, it makes a number of sense to develop robots with reconfigurable capabilities. It is a sustainable design possibility — as a substitute of shopping for 5 totally different robots for 5 totally different functions, we will construct many alternative robots through the use of the identical elements. Robots constructed from reconfigurable modules could possibly be rearranged on demand to supply extra versatility than specialised techniques, which could possibly be helpful in resource-limited environments”, Yoder concludes.
