Scientists from Scotland created robots based on the mechanics of the movement of ribbon worms. The development of engineers from the University of Glasgow will be able to be used in prosthetics, rescue operations and industry, reports Evening Standart newspaper.
Development authors note that robotic worms can stretch, increasing the length of the case nine times. Also, Wormi robots are capable of moving, based on their own form of proprioceptible – the sensations of the relative position of the body and movements in living organisms. This feeling, for example, allows rainworms to navigate in space.
The characteristics of robot worms will allow them to penetrate into hard-to-reach places where “traditional” robots will not be able to get. The creators of the worm robot suggest that their development will form the basis of the new generation of robots, which can autonomously explore hard-to-reach areas. For example, they will be able to be used to search for minerals and in rescue operations – to search for survivors.
James Watt University of Glasgow, Professor Ravander Dakhiya, noted that the work on flexible robots may form the basis of realistic prostheses. In addition, such robots can be adapted to transfer heavy things in the wrong shape.
Wormi Robots received built-in deformation sensors that are covered with “skin” from elastic material Ecoflex and graphite paste developed at the University of Glasgow. In the two ends of the robot there are miniature permanent magnets that allow the robot to move on metal surfaces.
Sensors help the robot “feel” movement, based on the electrical resistance graphite paste. This indicator changes when a bend occurs on the body – the sensor fixes the achievement of a predetermined value, after which the body straightens. This cycle allows the robot to move like a rainworm.
Previously, scientists from Italy found that the view of a human-like robot could affect the decision-making process. The behavior of the participants in the experiment was assessed during the game with an anthropomorphic robot. The researchers found that the decision-making process slowed down at the moments when the robot looked into the experiment participants.