Modular design enhances mobility in Cornell’s worm robot
The worm robot showcases its unique, modular design, consisting of interconnected pods, each equipped with a motor and tendon actuator. This configuration allows the robot to alter its shape dynamically, enabling a broad range of movements.
Chong-Chan Kim, the study’s lead author, employed a novel dry-adhesion method during the manufacturing process, bonding Nafion separators directly to the robot’s frame. This technique efficiently separates anolytes and catholytes within the robot, facilitating smooth electron flow and energy distribution.
Professor Shepherd explained the dual functionality of the hydraulic fluid used in the robot, serving both as a battery and a force provider. “This dual role not only reduces the robot’s overall weight but enhances its energy efficiency, allowing for extended travel distances,” Shepherd noted.