# Blow-Up Robot Creatures The Ant-Roach by Otherlab Shows the Strength of Inflatables By Katherinev123 | Published 2011-11-24 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ant-roach References: [wired](http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2011-11/23/inflatable-robots) & [otherlab](http://www.otherlab.com/news/2011/11/21/the-ant-roach/) Engineering and design firm Otherlab, working in collaboration with Meka Robotics and [Stanford University](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/housekeeping-robot), has created this incredible 15-foot-tall [inflatable animal](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/giant-inflatables) called the Ant-Roach. Made from lightweight inflatable fabric and powered by hydraulics, the Ant-Roach demonstrates "the carrying capacity and high strength-to-weight ratios possible with inflatable structures," says the Otherlab site. With the ability to carry up to 450 kg, the Ant-Roach features "muscles" that are texile-based actuators and its belly comprises manifolds that dispense compressed air. When a signal is sent to a microcontroller on the Ant-Roach, it moves. As Wired UK points out, a [blow-up robot](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/conqueror-inflatable) offers the advantage of being cheaper to build and because it is mainly air, the structure will also float -- in fact, the Ant-Roach can walk over water. Watch the video to see the Ant-Roach in action. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.3/10 - Popularity: 12% | Activity: 20% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Science](https://www.trendhunter.com/science) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Inflatable Robots:** The use of inflatable materials in robotics offers opportunities for lighter and cheaper robots. - **Textile-based Actuators:** Using textile-based actuators in robotics offers an alternative to traditional methods and opens up new design possibilities. - **Compressed Air Robots:** The use of compressed air as a power source in robots offers advantages in terms of mobility and durability. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Robotics:** The robotics industry can leverage inflatable and textile-based technologies to create lighter, cheaper and more versatile robots. - **Military:** The military industry can explore the use of inflatable and compressed air robots to improve mobility and increase durability in harsh environments. - **Entertainment:** The entertainment industry can utilize inflatable robots for use in performances, theme park attractions, and more due to their safety and versatility. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Bug-Like Flying Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/micro-insect-robot.md) - [Inflatable Body Digital Drones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sobar-drone.md) - [Maneuverable Centipede Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/centipede-robot.md) - [Bio-Inspired Transforming Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bioinspired-transforming-robot.md) - [Miniature Flying Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tiny-robot.md) - [Pneumatic Robotics Kits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pneumatic-robot-design-kit.md) - [Rugged Quadruped Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rugged-quadruped-robots.md) - [Hybrid Movement Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/leo-robot.md) - [Multidirectional Miniature Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/multidirectional-miniature-robots.md)