US EditionElephant robot demonstrates bioinspired 3D printing technology
SWITZERLAND, JUL 16 – The programmable foam lattice enables robots to mimic diverse biological tissues with over one million configurations for lightweight and adaptable designs, EPFL researchers say.
- Recently, at EPFL in Switzerland, Qinghua Guan said their programmable lattice technique was used to build an elephant robot with a soft trunk that twists, bends, and rotates.
- Copying biological muscle and bone diversity is very difficult in robotics, prompting EPFL researchers to seek new methods as multi-material 3D printing can’t ensure continuous control of flexibility and strength.
- With dual programming capability, the foam lattice comprises individual cells programmable into over one million configurations, enabling sliding plane, bending uniaxial and two-way bending biaxial joints.
- Ph.D. student Benhui Dai noted that it’s `particularly suited for replicating the structure of muscular organs like an elephant trunk,` and the open foam design can embed sensors and operate in fluid environments.
- Looking ahead, its honeycomb-like design offers many exciting possibilities for future robotics research, and Josie Hughes said the foam lattice technology could enable lightweight, efficient robots.
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myscience.orgElephant robot demonstrates bioinspired 3D printing technology
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Thanks to a programmable mesh structure, EPFL has designed a foam robot elephant with ultralight and high-performance movements, opening new paths in robotics.
Researchers at ETH Lausanne (EPFL) have developed an elephant robot with a programmable grid structure. ...
·Zürich, Switzerland
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