Researchers from Stanford University have developed a growing robot that moves more like an organic vine than a mechanical device.
The robot takes the form of a tube, made from a flexible material that is folded inside of itself. As the robot navigates its environment by growing, air is pumped into one end of the tube to create motion. The result is a robot that looks and moves hardly anything like robots most people have become accustomed to seeing.
Some of the potential applications for this growing robot include search and rescue missions, as well as medical procedures. The team is also exploring the potential for other materials and processes to be used for the making of the robot, such as Kevlar and 3D printing.
What Makes This Trend Stand Out
- Organic Robotics
- The development of robots that mimic natural creatures and movements.
- Flexible Robot Design
- The creation of robots made from flexible materials that can grow and change shape.
- Alternative Robot Propulsion
- The exploration of new ways to power and move robots beyond mechanical devices.
Sectors Adopting This
- Search and Rescue
- The use of growing robots in disaster scenarios or other emergencies where a flexible and adaptable shape and movement is beneficial.
- Medical Procedures
- The application of organic robots in surgeries or medical procedures where a flexible and minimally invasive device is required.
- Materials and 3D Printing
- The development and experimentation of new materials and processes to use in robot design and production, such as Kevlar and 3D printing.
