Researchers have developed soft robots that are able to navigate complex environments, such as mazes, without input from humans or computer software. The soft robots are made of liquid crystal elastomers in the form of a twisted ribbon, resembling translucent rotini. Credit: Yao Zhao, NC State University

Researchers at North Carolina State University and the University of Pennsylvania have developed soft robots that are able to navigate complex environments, such as mazes, without input from humans or computer software. [1]

Figure 1. Twisted soft robots navigate mazes without human or computer guidance

Figure 1 shows the smooth robots are product of liquid crystal elastomers within the form of a twisted ribbon, resembling translucent rotini. Once you place the ribbon on a floor that’s at the very least 55 levels Celsius (131 levels Fahrenheit), which is hotter than the ambient air, the portion of the ribbon touching the floor contracts, whereas the portion of the ribbon uncovered to the air doesn’t. This induces a rolling movement within the ribbon. And the hotter the floor, the quicker it rolls. [2]

The ribbon robot does this in two ways. First, if one end of the ribbon encounters an object, the ribbon rotates slightly to get around the obstacle. Second, if the central part of the robot encounters an object, it “snaps.” The snap is a rapid release of stored deformation energy that causes the ribbon to jump slightly and reorient itself before landing. The ribbon may need to snap more than once before finding an orientation that allows is to negotiate the obstacle, but ultimately it always finds a clear path forward. [3]

The researchers conducted multiple experiments demonstrating that the ribbon-like soft robot is capable of navigating a variety of maze-like environments. The researchers also demonstrated that the soft robots would work well in desert environments, showing they were capable of climbing and descending slopes of loose sand. [4]

References:

1. https://badpi.com/twisted-soft-robots-navigate-mazes-without-human-or-computer-guidance/
2. https://news8plus.com/twisted-soft-robots-navigate-mazes-without-human-or-computer-guidance/
3. https://techiai.com/twisted-soft-robots-navigate-mazes-without-human-or-computer-guidance/
4. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/05/220523150621.htm

Cite this article:

Thanusri swetha J (2022), Twisted soft robots navigate mazes without human or computer guidance, Anatechmaz, pp. 64