Small Robotic Devices Utilize Origami Techniques to Control Free Fall
Researchers from Washington University have developed small robotic devices that can change the speed and direction of free fall by utilizing origami techniques. This groundbreaking technology opens up various applications in the field of science, particularly in the collection of atmospheric data. The research paper can be found here.
These micro-robots can be deployed from drones and unfold like umbrellas to manipulate their movement and decelerate in an upright position. The shape-changing ability is achieved through tiny drives that can reposition themselves in just 25 milliseconds. The robots are designed to maintain sufficient rigidity, preventing accidental folding due to air flow.
Form change can be triggered automatically based on pressure sensors or timers, or manually through Bluetooth connectivity. The robots are powered directly by solar energy, resulting in a weight of approximately 400 milligrams. This enables the integration of additional sensors, such as temperature and humidity, without compromising their aerodynamic performance.
During experiments, these unique devices successfully traversed the distance of an entire football field after being dropped from a height of 40 meters. This achievement is attributed to a combination of the folding scheme known as Origami Miura-ori and strategic placement of elements on the robot’s body.
The robots exhibit flight characteristics similar to various types of leaves. In a folded state, they rotate randomly in the wind, resembling an elm leaf. Once unfolded, they descend steadily and gradually like a maple leaf.
Currently, the robots can only transition from a randomized state to a slow descent. This feature allows scientists to control the descent of multiple robots simultaneously, revealing them at specific moments to guide them in different directions. Future developments aim to enable bi-directional transitions, providing more precise control over direction and speed, particularly in varying wind conditions.