# Magnetic Omnidirectional Robots The Upgraded 'Ballbot' Uses a Magnetic Motor Mechanism By Rahul Kalvapalle | Published 2016-10-05 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/omnidirectional-robot References: [newatlas](http://newatlas.com/omnidirectional-robot-simbot/45759/) & [cs.cmu.edu](http://www.cs.cmu.edu/news/omnidirectional-mobile-robot-has-just-two-moving-parts) A group of scientists and researchers working out of [Carnegie Mellon University](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/quadruped-robots) have developed an innovative and high-tech omnidirectional robot that is designed to be stable and sturdy yet also svelte and slender enough to be able to access and freely move through a variety of environments. This particular omnidirectional robot is unique in that it doesn't depend on the roller mechanisms common among [similar robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lynx-m20-pro). Rather, the so called SIMbot is equipped with special magnet field technologies that are capable of generating electricity and torque in order to be able to move as well as control and stabilize the robot. This robot could be of great use in a variety of professional and industrial environments due to its compactness and stability. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.5/10 - Popularity: 59% | Activity: 37% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [AI](https://www.trendhunter.com/ai) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Compact Omnifunctional Robots:** Creating omnidirectional robots that are stable, slender, and with multiple functionalities using magnetic mechanisms. - **Magnetic Motor Mechanism:** Developing robots that use magnetic fields to generate electricity and torque to move and control the robot without the need for traditional roller mechanisms. - **Environment Accessible Robots:** Designing robots that can access and move freely in different environments while maintaining stability due to their unique magnet field technologies. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Manufacturing Industry:** Using compact omnifunctional robots with magnetic mechanisms to streamline and enhance the manufacturing process by minimizing the amount of space required to operate. - **Healthcare Industry:** Adopting robot technology with magnet field technologies to create compact and easily accessible robots that could be used in surgeries or other medical procedures in hard to reach spaces. - **Service Industry:** Implementing environment accessible robots in service industries like hospitality and cleaning to increase efficiency and performance in limited spaces where a traditional robot wouldn't be able to operate. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Diminutive Bipedal Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bipedal-robots.md) - [Bio-Inspired Transforming Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bioinspired-transforming-robot.md) - [Omnidirectional Autonomous Vehicle Tires](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hankook-tire-wheelbot.md) - [Highly Balanced Mobility Solutions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hyundai-mobed.md) - [Zero-Gravity Robotic Cubes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/electrovoxel.md) - [Maneuverable Centipede Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/centipede-robot.md) - [Soccer-Dribbling Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/soccerdribbling-robot.md) - [Balance Beam-Walking Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/quadruped-robots.md) - [AI-Powered Balance Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/microsoft-project-moab.md)