Shape-Shifting Bots Inspired by Elephant Trunks Can Bend and Grab
The tensegrity design lets the robots bend, collapse and connect with others for tasks ranging from search and rescue to manufacturing support.
- Researchers at Colorado State University developed a flexible, shape-shifting robot using a 'tensegrity' design that allows it to bend and adapt like an elephant's trunk to grip objects.
- Unlike rigid robotic systems, these machines use stiff rods held by tensioned cables in an approach called 'tensegrity,' allowing them to collapse, stretch, or grasp objects based on environmental needs.
- Featuring gripping claws at both ends, the units can attach to partners to form loops, chains, or branches. Associate Professor Jianguo Zhao described these machines as 'generalists' capable of complex tasks.
- Although current prototypes require human pilots, doctoral student Mahmud Hasan Saikot demonstrated that two robots can already find and connect independently, and researchers are working to improve operational speed.
- Developers envision autonomous teams of hundreds of these modular units deployed for space exploration or search and rescue operations, with findings published in the journal Nature Machine Intelligence.
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These robots can extend, shrink, bend and grab objects on complicated surfaces. In addition, several units can connect to form different structures and collaborate on the same task. The design, developed by researchers from Colorado State University in the United States, is inspired by the versatility of the elephant tube and aims to create machine teams capable of supporting future space missions, rescue operations or industrial works.
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Shape-shifting bots inspired by elephant trunks can bend and grab
The new robots were made instead with a design approach called “tensegrity”.
Inspired by elephant trunks, shape-shifting robots bend, grab and team up
Researchers at Colorado State University have developed a flexible robot that functions like an elephant's trunk to grip objects, with a goal of one day sending teams of these machines to aid in space exploration or to help with any number of other complex tasks.
Researchers at Colorado State University have developed robots inspired by the trunk of an elephant. They can bend, grab objects, and connect with each other to form movable structures to perform complex tasks.
Elephant-inspired robots could join together to tackle difficult jobs
Engineers have created flexible robots inspired by elephant trunks that can bend, grip objects and connect with one another. The machines could eventually help with jobs that are difficult for conventional rigid robots, including exploring challenging terrain and handling objects of different shapes. The team at Colorado State University designed the robots so their bodies […]
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