A tiny, resilient soft robot, inspired by the inchworm, could one day crawl through Martian pipelines.
The Inchworm Inspiration
A researcher at the University of Gothenburg, Hari Prakash Thanabalan, has developed a revolutionary soft robot that operates without any rigid parts, drawing direct inspiration from the locomotion of an inchworm. The robot uses alternating layers of carbon electrodes and polymer, expanding when voltage is applied, which mimics the flexing of a biological muscle.
How It Moves
The artificial muscle at the heart of the robot is about as thick as a strand of hair. It is rolled into a cylinder that expands and contracts by approximately 10%. A flexible plastic arch positioned between the muscle's ends converts this expansion into forward motion, allowing the robot to crawl effectively across ribbed surfaces.
Real-World Applications
The unique design opens up several practical applications:
- Autonomous Inspection: The robot can be equipped with a camera for autonomous pipeline inspection, navigating spaces inaccessible to traditional machines.
- Space Exploration: Due to its simple motor (which has no moving parts) and remarkable durability, it is considered a strong candidate for Mars exploration.
"The robot expanded about 10% when powered on and returned to its original size when off. The robot moved perpendicular to surface grooves in tests."
— Hari Prakash Thanabalan, Researcher
Exceptional Durability
The robot's resilience is a key feature. It withstood four hours of daily operation for over four months without any performance loss. A protective carbon nanotube coating enables it to continue crawling even after being pierced with needles. Crucially, researchers believe this same coating will allow it to withstand the harsh cosmic radiation found on Mars.
A Future in Demanding Environments
Thanabalan believes the robot’s robustness and simplicity make it ideal for the most demanding environments. "I believe the robot could be used for demanding environments and possibly for Mars exploration," he stated, pointing to a future where soft robotics play a critical role in extreme exploration.