The Hirose-Fukushima Lab at Tokyo Institute of Technology has created a monster robot snake, focusing on researching how snakes can move forward without the use of legs. Watch the video after the jump to see how it performs.
The ACM-R5 robot snake has been designed to move just like a real snake both in and out of water. Each one of the eight joints along its body has its own controlling CPU, motor, and battery to allow them to work independently from each other. This level of autonomy in each segment is crucial for the snake’s fluid and flexible movement, mimicking the natural undulations of a real snake.
Innovative Design and Functionality
This robot snake moves by twisting its body and mimicking a real snake, using the same motion both on land and in the water. The design of the ACM-R5 is particularly innovative because it incorporates passive wheels and paddles along its body. These components provide the propulsive force needed to twist the body, allowing the snake to move in a direction tangential to the body, but not in a perpendicular direction. This unique movement mechanism enables the robot to navigate through various terrains and even swim efficiently in water.
The passive wheels and paddles are strategically placed to maximize the robot’s mobility. On land, the wheels reduce friction, allowing the snake to glide smoothly over surfaces. In water, the paddles increase the surface area in contact with the water, enhancing propulsion and enabling the robot to swim with ease. This dual functionality makes the ACM-R5 a versatile tool for exploring environments that are challenging for traditional robots.
Applications and Future Prospects
The potential applications for the ACM-R5 robot snake are vast and varied. In search and rescue operations, the robot could navigate through rubble and debris to locate survivors in areas that are inaccessible to humans or larger robots. Its ability to move through tight spaces and over uneven terrain makes it an ideal candidate for such missions. Additionally, the robot’s swimming capabilities could be utilized for underwater inspections of pipelines, ship hulls, and other submerged structures.
Beyond practical applications, the ACM-R5 also serves as a valuable research tool. By studying the robot’s movements, scientists can gain insights into the biomechanics of real snakes. This knowledge could inform the development of new robotic systems and improve our understanding of animal locomotion. The robot snake’s design principles could also be applied to other bio-inspired robots, leading to advancements in robotics technology.
This robot snake can be viewed at the Bio-Mimicry in Robots exhibition at the Science Museum in Tokyo, until August 22. The exhibition showcases various bio-inspired robots, highlighting the intersection of biology and robotics. Visitors can learn about the design and functionality of these robots, as well as their potential applications in different fields.
The ACM-R5 robot snake is a testament to the innovative research being conducted at the Hirose-Fukushima Lab. By drawing inspiration from nature, the lab is pushing the boundaries of what robots can achieve. As technology continues to advance, we can expect to see even more sophisticated and capable bio-inspired robots in the future.
Via Crunch Gear
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