The Engineer's Notebook is a shared blog for entries that don't fit into a specific CR4 blog. Topics may range from grammar to physics and could be research or or an individual's thoughts - like you'd jot down in a well-used notebook.
Scurrying and indestructible. Words you don’t typically want to see in a sentence together, or separately, for that matter, when describing an innovation inspired by the cockroach.
Yet, here we are.
Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, have developed a nearly indestructible, insect-sized robot that moves like a scurrying cockroach.
Roughly the size of a postage stamp, and weighing in at just 0.1 g, the robotic cockroach is composed of piezoelectric material called polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). When applying an electric voltage, piezoelectric material tends to expand or contract. However, coating the PVDF in layers of elastic polymer caused the entire sheet to bend instead of expanding or contracting. The researchers then added a front leg to the sheet so that the material bends and straightens, and the motion drives the device forward.
Reportedly, the robot is among the fastest of currently available insect-sized robots and can withstand up to 60 kg of weight without damage.
Currently, the robot is attached to an electric wire that drives the robot’s oscillations. The team is exploring the use of a battery to give the robot the freedom to move independently. Likewise, the team is also hoping to add gas sensors.
Researchers suggest that a robot of this size could be used in search and rescue missions, accessing narrow and hard-to-reach places that humans and rescue dogs cannot.
Although an honorable application, couldn’t researchers derive inspiration from other small objects? Why not miniature puppies or lady bugs, for instance? Isn’t life hard enough with cockroaches already in the mix to go out and make a robotic one? Never mind one that is indestructible.
I expect a few of these will get stomped if released into my house.
60KG No problem.But can it escape sticky tape?
However,I can see them used for spying and other nefarious purposes.
Here is a hilarious clip of what happens when people see something unexpected.
I want one of for those suits for my Lab.
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"A man never stands so tall as when he stoops to help a child." "Never argue with a stupid person.They will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience" "To create an apple pie from scratch, first you must create a universe"
Seems to be a lot of wasted motion,but I understand this is just a first stage prototype.Perhaps a specially shaped membrane to create a unidirectional ratchet action will be developed.Speed and efficiency would be dramatically increased.
Perhaps a liquid to create a wave that travels from end to end and crashes against the drive mechanism.Or course,the length would be critical according to the velocity and frequency of the wave through the medium. A variable frequency could control speed. Tuned like an antenna.
Just thinkin' how I might do it....
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"A man never stands so tall as when he stoops to help a child." "Never argue with a stupid person.They will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience" "To create an apple pie from scratch, first you must create a universe"
I was thinking of a MEMS device to generate the wave in a thin fluid "skin" surrounding the shell.The wave would strike a magnetic paddle that would move the legs in unison.
Reverse and steer like a skid steer..lock one rear or front leg.
Will this work?
By the way,they already have a small robot that can leap 30 feet straight up.
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"A man never stands so tall as when he stoops to help a child." "Never argue with a stupid person.They will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience" "To create an apple pie from scratch, first you must create a universe"
In Texas,college students would find a dead armadillo on the road side,and turn him on his back,and put a beer can between his front feet.Wish I had taken some pictures.
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"A man never stands so tall as when he stoops to help a child." "Never argue with a stupid person.They will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience" "To create an apple pie from scratch, first you must create a universe"
Re: Researchers Develop Scurrying, Indestructible Robotic Cockroach...Because Why Not?
