Autonomous soft robot drags the slider 3 kg of cargo

In recent years, there are active for so-called "soft robots» (soft robots). Most of them work on the pneumatic and dragged behind a hose or wire, which limits mobility.

Engineers from Harvard University have made a breakthrough: they constructed fully autonomous robot soft . He carries on the "back" air compressors, valves, battery and controller, so it can travel on any route.

Moreover, it is able to lift and drag 8 kg to 3 additional 4 kg load to move across the snow withstand fire and water hitting the car.

The length of the robot - 65 cm. Increase Capacity managed by modifying the actuator, resulting in increased pressure inside the robot to 139 kPa (20 psi).

Such a robot is moving rather slowly. Please note: the photos shows the time elapsed since the beginning of the movement. In the most intensive mode its speed is 18 meters per hour.

Standard 3200 mAh battery lasts for 2 hours with the movement speed of 2 m / h at a slow mode (left in the illustration) or 18 m / h in the fast mode (right).



Of course, over speed must still work.

One of the advantages of the robot - a relatively low cost. In the manufacture of the prototype took $ 1111, and this amount can be significantly reduced by using less expensive compressors and valves.



Source: habrahabr.ru/post/235991/