Friday, 25 November 2011

Inflatable Robots: A Budget, Lightweight Robot Alternative?


� Otherlab

I must say, I'm really looking forward to the potential for inflatable robots. For just one, making robots from fabric might have huge implications on the way forward for materials usage. Also, when Cyberdyne Systems finally does go all Skynet on mankind, we may really stand a fighting chance against these walking bouncy houses.

The 15-feet-lengthy Ant-Roach (pictured above) really demonstrates the transporting capacity and strength-to-weight ratios of those inflatable structures. It weighs in at in only under 70 pounds however it can transport as much as 1000 pounds, making the payload of the couple of people not a problem whatsoever. The first concept was more elephant-like however the final product arrived on the scene such as this anteater-cockroach hybrid, hence its title.

This huggable robot was created by Otherlab's Pneubotics program a collaborative effort between your San-Francisco-based research firm, Meka Robotics, Stanford College, and DARPA.


� Otherlab

So-known as Pneubotics use lightweight, textile-based actuators together with hydraulics to contract upon inflation. The particular form of these actuators effects the resulting motion. This behavior is displayed best through the program's robot arm. It's actuator muscles in the shoulder, elbow, and wrist but additionally in most four fingers. With an overall total weight of just 2 pounds, it may still bench a far more than me.

Since they're built from fabric and fundamental pneumatic parts as an air supply, valves and tubing, these robots can be created for very, inexpensive. Obviously, an appearance made mostly from air poses its very own problems. One sharp needle could bring an entire robot lower.

However these inflatable systems might have programs outdoors of just puffy Terminators. In the region of alternative energy, these technologies could provide inexpensive, high amount of freedom systems for photo voltaic energy systems or wind energy.

I, for just one, welcome our new inflatable overlords.


� Otherlab



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