A group of scientists and engineers at the Chiba Institute of Technology in Japan have come up with a new robot, dubbed the QRoSS, that works much like the Droideka robot in Star Wars (minus the laser cannons). This robot can be thrown at distance but when once it stops rolling, it unfurls mechanical legs that allow it to scamper the rest of the way to its destination.
The robot is sheathed in a 30 cm protective shell that works as a passive shock absorber. The legs operate independently from within the outer structure, enabling the robot to navigate treacherous and uneven terrain at speeds of 100 cm a second without falling over.
The QRoSS robot's design makes it suitable for a variety of applications. It could be used by first responders in emergency situations, specifically to scout or survey areas that may not be safe for human operators.
Throwable Japanese Robots
The QRoSS Robot Tumbles and Then Walks After Being Thrown
Trend Themes
1. Throwable Robots - Disruptive innovation opportunity for manufacturers to create robots that can be thrown or launched for different applications, such as scouting and surveying inaccessible or hazardous areas.
2. Protective Robots - Opportunity for manufacturers to create robots that are designed to be protected by a shock-absorbing material, enabling them to survive impact and operate in challenging environments.
3. Terrain-navigating Robots - Opportunity for manufacturers to design robots that can navigate challenging terrain at high speeds independently using mechanical legs, making them suitable for applications such as search-and-rescue missions and disaster relief operations.
Industry Implications
1. Robotics - Robotics manufacturers can develop new products and systems that leverage technology capable of making robots throwable, protective, and terrain-navigating for use in emergency scenarios.
2. Emergency Services - Emergency services can take advantage of throwable robots as a means of providing quick and reliable situational awareness in dangerous scenarios.
3. Surveying and Mapping - Surveying and mapping industries can benefit from throwable robots that can be used to gather data in challenging locations, such as remote areas or areas affected by natural disasters.