Robots capable of carrying out complex actions without electricity they were developed by researchers at King’s College London. Specifically, the researchers have developed a small circuit capable of communicating through changes in fluid pressure, all drawing particular inspiration from the functioning of the human body. Thanks to this method, robots are able to carry out some tasks independently of conventional electrical systems.
Commands are then transmitted using a fluid within the circuit. The team intervened on the issue by specifying that this:
World premiere opens up the possibility of a new generation of robots, whose bodies could function independently of their integrated control center.
According to experts, this space could be used for more complex software based on artificial intelligence.
Great valve innovation
Soft robots are usually controlled by traditional systems. This means that solenoid valves, pumps, regulators are used and all this limits their mobility and miniaturization. Scientists aim to solve this problem by studying new designs for valves and soft valves. The goal is to integrate them into the body of the robot to improve its efficiency and allow its use even in difficult environments. Soft valves work by controlling the flow of fluid bending the tubes and consequently reduce the need for various control inputs.
Speaking precisely about these new robots without electricity and of their functionality it should be noted that scientists have created a reversible circuit which, in the robot’s hardware, incorporates an adjustable valve. This in turn to control movements it uses pressure signals similar to binary code. All this makes it possible to move the robot without the use of electricity or a centralized control system.
The researchers are planning to scale the circuit for larger robots, and to do so they need to connect them to a continuous pressure source. In this regard, Mostafa Mousa, postgraduate researcher at KCL and co-author of the study, said:
It’s actually something we’re already working on and have made great strides towards this goal – we plan to release it soon.