The Velobot robot mimics the “bud tip mechanism” found in plant stems (Science Robotics)
At the time of disasters, rescue teams need to ensure the presence of survivors under the rubble, which is a difficult process that takes a long time and effort. However, a joint research team from the Italian Institute of Technology and the University of Montpellier in France has taken an important step towards providing technical support for these efforts, by announcing... A prototype of a snake-shaped robot that can perform this role.
The new robot relies on an innovative technology inspired by plants by researchers, and allows it to independently decide when to extend its body, and the amount of this expansion based on the surrounding environment, so that it can then reach places that are difficult for traditional robots to reach.
In explaining the details of this technology in a study published in the journal Science Robotics, the researchers said that they succeeded in overcoming the drawbacks of previous attempts by other scientists who tried to produce growing robots (that is, their bodies grow as needed). An expert polled by Al Jazeera Net described what the researchers did as having promising features and capabilities for the application.
Two previous techniques didn't work
In previous attempts to manufacture growing robots, researchers have used two main approaches, each of which had its problems:
First - pneumatic skin inversion:
In it, the robot is a soft robotic structure that resembles a hollow tube made of flexible material. The inner part of the tube is compressed with air or gas, and as the pressure increases, the flexible material that forms the walls of the tube begins to turn from the inside out.
This approach faced several challenges in achieving efficient movement in unstructured 3D environments, and thus there were limitations related to the ability to adapt and respond to changing conditions.
Second: Compressed elongation tubes:
The robot made in this method consists of flexible tubes arranged in a specific configuration. These tubes have the ability to elongate or expand when pressure is applied to their internal parts. The tubes are initially in a state of relaxation or contraction, and when a compressed liquid (such as air or another gas) is introduced into the tubes, The pressure causes it to elongate.
This approach was not successful due to challenges in controlling the compression process to achieve precise elongation that achieves the purpose, and to ensure the structural integrity of the pipes under pressure.
The bud top mechanism...a new robot
To overcome these challenges, researchers from the Italian Institute of Technology and the University of Montpellier in France were inspired to design a new robot they called “Velobot” from the adaptive growth of climbing plants, so that it mimics the “bud top mechanism” found in plant stems, which led to a type capable of moving efficiently without the need to... into pre-programmed movements.
The “bud apex mechanism” refers to the upper part of a plant shoot, where active cell division occurs in the meristem, leading to growth and extension of the plant body. This mechanism is involved in sensory perception that directs plant growth in response to environmental stimuli.
Photoreceptors and gravity-sensing cells distributed throughout the shoot apex play a role in photoreceptors (response to light) and gravitropism (response to gravity).
According to this mechanism described in the study, the Velobot robot will be able to simulate the adaptive and directional growth observed in plants so that it can navigate in unregulated environments effectively.
The robot is designed to use 3D printing to create additional mass for the body, allowing it to elongate. The robot's head contains 3D printer ink, which is a type of plastic used to print the body's material (polylactic acid), and the robot contains a tube inside its body that feeds the head.
The robot is programmed to grow in specific directions, such as the direction of light or against gravity, and inside the head there are electronics that respond to signals from external sensors located in the head. These sensors provide input to control the printer’s output, allowing adjustments to be made in the rotation rate and the amount of ink supplied. This mechanism allows precise control of the direction and rate of growth, and at the back of the robot there is a base containing an inkwell, a pump, and a power source.
Robot made using pneumatic skin rollover method (Automation Letters)
Supporting rescue efforts...a practical model
According to what was stated in the study detailing the mechanism of the robot’s work, Mohamed Makki, professor of mechanical engineering specializing in robotics and smart systems at the Egyptian University of Menoufia, imagines the mechanism of the robot’s work when an earthquake occurs, and there is a need for tools to support efforts to search for people trapped under the rubble of homes.
Makki said in a telephone interview with Al Jazeera Net: “In this case, the robot will be directed to a place, and as it moves forward, the front part of it - using a 3D printer - will extend its body by printing additional parts of it to reach new areas, and when confronted The front part of the robot can print additional parts that allow it to move around the obstacle, as it is programmed with sensors to detect obstacles or interesting features.
He adds, "When it reaches the target, the robot may be equipped with various sensors to detect signs of life, such as heat, sound, or vibrations. These sensors can help identify the presence of survivors under the rubble, and it may be equipped with communication capabilities to transmit data in real time to rescue teams." This information can include the location of survivors, structural instability warnings, or other relevant details that assist in planning rescue operations.”
5 points.. Later studies
While Makki admits that the detailed description of how the robot works and the experiments conducted on it, reveal that it is an attempt beyond the theoretical stage, which indicates promising features and capabilities that could make it applicable in the real world, especially in unorganized and difficult environments, but that does not prevent There are some points that researchers must address later, including:
First
: The robot’s energy efficiency, and the possibility of there being ways to enhance its efficiency in order to operate for a long period in the field.
Second
: Determine the maximum payload capacity of the robot, and how it can be improved for various applications such as carrying sensors or tools for specific tasks.
Third
: The robot’s communication system, and the improvements that can be made to transfer data efficiently, especially in difficult environments.
Fourth
: How well it performs under adverse environmental conditions, and the measures that can be taken to enhance its resilience in the face of factors such as extreme temperatures, humidity, or debris.
Fifth
: How potential end users respond to the robot, such as rescue specialists, the extent to which they interact with it in practical applications, and the comments that can be collected to improve its usability.
“The researchers’ next steps will likely include further testing, improvements, and potential collaboration with experts in relevant fields to ensure successful practical application of the robot,” Makki says.
Emanuela Del Dottore, a robotics scientist at the Italian Institute of Technology in Genoa and the lead researcher on the project; More research that supports efforts to implement the robot practically. She said in a report published by the “Nature” website: “This robot could one day find applications such as search and rescue missions, or other situations in which it must navigate environments in which the obstacles in which it is present cannot be predicted.”
She adds that the slow growth of the robot, according to the mechanism proposed for its operation, could be an advantage in a collapsed building, as this may help to avoid causing the movement of unstable debris.
Source: Al Jazeera + websites