A new unicycle robot known as Ringbot has been designed to roll on a single large wheel while using extendable legs to maneuver. This could be used for deliveries in the near future.
Its development was led by Associate Professor Joohyung Kim and his team at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Kim found inspiration not only in the film saga, but also in single-wheeled vehicles and earlier robotic innovations that combine the mobility of wheels with the versatility of legs.
A typical monowheel consists of a motorized platform that sits inside a large hoop, allowing the driver to remain level while the wheel rotates around. Kim took this concept and fused it with the technology of robots that incorporate wheels on their limbs, such as ETH Zurich’s ANYmal robot , which alternates between rolling and walking depending on the terrain.
Ringbot: a versatile unicycle robot
The Ringbot is equipped with a 515mm diameter wheel made of a nylon-carbon blend, covered by a solid elastomer tire. Inside the wheel, two motorized modules operate like hamsters on an exercise wheel, moving the robot by adjusting its center of mass to maintain balance and change direction.
These modules are also equipped with robotic legs that can be extended to keep you stable when stopped or to help you get up if you fall. Initial tests of the robot were carried out under remote control, reaching speeds of up to 5 km/h.
It is important to note that a few weeks ago Ringbot tests were carried out on a 400-meter outdoor circuit. Using a 2300 mAh and 11.1 V battery, the legged robot managed to travel about 3 km in 37 minutes . The speed and trajectory of the Ringbot were managed using a remote joystick controller.
The robot is equipped with a 515 mm diameter wheel.
Future projections
In the future, it is anticipated that a more advanced version of the Ringbot could autonomously navigate urban streets, using cameras, sensors and GPS to efficiently make deliveries, even in congested areas. This advanced robot could even incorporate four legs with wheels, allowing it to overcome obstacles such as stairs.
Ringbot’s futuristic vision as a delivery tool in densely populated cities raises important questions about the integration of robotics into urban infrastructure. As robots like Ringbot become more common, it will be crucial to design cities that can accommodate both humans and machines, ensuring safety and efficiency in service delivery.
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Source and photo: newatlas.com
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