Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems (MPI-IS) have made a significant stride in the robotic industry with the introduction of HEXEL modules. These are hexagon-shaped robotic components that can quickly snap together, like LEGO bricks, to formulate fast and reconfigurable robots. The team from the Robotic Materials Department embedded magnets into these hexagonal exoskeletons, creating a quick and easy mechanical and electrical connection process.
Each of these innovative HEXEL modules comprises six lightweight, rigid, glass fiber plates acting as an exoskeleton. They use hydraulically amplified self-healing electrostatic (HASEL) artificial muscles to drive the inner joints of the hexagons. When a high voltage is applied, the muscle activates, causing the hexagon's joints to rotate, transforming its form from lengthy and narrow to broad and flat.
"High strokes and high speeds can be accomplished by incorporating this infusion of soft and rigid elements," says Ellen Rumley, a visiting scholar from the University of Colorado Boulder. Rumley, along with Zachary Yoder, who are both Ph.D. students at the Robotic Materials Department, are the co-first authors of the publication titled 'Hexagonal electrohydraulic modules for rapidly reconfigurable high-speed robots', set to be published in Science Robotics on September 18, 2024.
According to a demonstration video released by the team, a range of behaviors can be noticed in a configuration of HEXEL modules. One group of modules was shown crawling through a small gap, while a single module demonstrated the ability to jump into the air. Combining multiple modules can form larger structures that present varying motions dependent upon the modules' connection. For instance, the team was successful in designing a robot that rolls quickly by connecting several modules.
Yoder affirmed that developing robots with the aptitude for reconfiguration made sense. With this sustainable design approach, it is conceivable that instead of acquiring five different robots for five various purposes, many different robots could be constructed using the identical components. Robots construed from reconfigurable modules could be rearranged as needed, presenting more versatility than customized systems. This flexibility would be particularly beneficial in resource-limited scenarios.
Disclaimer: The above article was written with the assistance of AI. The original sources can be found on ScienceDaily.
