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A team of roboticists has developed a beetle robot that mimics the extraordinary abilities of the dung beetle . Published in the journal Advanced Science , this breakthrough could change the approach to designing robots for critical applications, such as rescue operations in rough terrain.
Beetle robot masters manipulation in extreme terrain
Dung beetles are fascinating for their ability to carry objects much larger than themselves . Inspired by this insect , researchers Binggwong Leung, Stanislav Gorb and Poramate Manoonpong studied their biomechanics in detail. Most notably, the beetles use a unique method: they wrap their upper legs around the object and use their lower legs to propel it. This detail was key to designing a robot with similar capabilities.
Instead of opting for machine learning, as is common in advanced robotics , the scientists applied a modular control system. This design was based on just two behaviors: roll and pitch , which simplified the robot’s control without sacrificing its efficiency. Dubbed ALPHA, the robot proved capable of moving a large hollow ball and also transporting materials inside it.
The research team notes that this technology has promising applications in search and rescue tasks , thanks to the robot’s ability to traverse difficult terrain and move effectively in tight spaces. Despite its achievements, the developers say there is still room for improvement and hope that this project will inspire further advances in nature-inspired robotics.
Watch the robot mimic the beetle’s skills. Source: Science X: Phys.org, Medical Xpress, Tech Xplore
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Source: Online Library
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