{"id":57638,"date":"2025-06-09T07:58:07","date_gmt":"2025-06-09T11:58:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rudebaguette.com\/?p=57638"},"modified":"2025-06-08T15:13:48","modified_gmt":"2025-06-08T19:13:48","slug":"like-a-snake-made-of-origami-this-new-soft-robot-slithers-through-tight-spaces-using-a-freaky-kirigami-skin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rudebaguette.com\/en\/2025\/06\/like-a-snake-made-of-origami-this-new-soft-robot-slithers-through-tight-spaces-using-a-freaky-kirigami-skin\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cLike a Snake Made of Origami\u201d: This New Soft Robot Slithers Through Tight Spaces Using a Freaky Kirigami Skin"},"content":{"rendered":"
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IN A NUTSHELL<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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  • \ud83d\udc0d Researchers at the University of Southern Denmark have developed a soft robot inspired by the movement of snakes and worms.<\/li>\n
  • \ud83c\udf3f The robot uses inflatable actuators and a kirigami<\/strong> skin to navigate complex environments, mimicking natural locomotion.<\/li>\n
  • \ud83d\udd0d This innovative design holds potential for search-and-rescue<\/strong> operations, environmental monitoring, and industrial inspections.<\/li>\n
  • \ud83e\udd16 Future advancements may incorporate AI, enhancing the robot’s autonomous capabilities and reducing the need for human intervention.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n

    In a groundbreaking development, researchers from the University of Southern Denmark (SDU) have engineered a cutting-edge soft robot inspired by the movements of limbless animals such as worms and snakes. Dubbed the soft robot \u201cworm,\u201d this innovation employs inflatable actuators and a unique kirigami skin to navigate various terrains. This technological marvel not only mimics natural locomotion but also holds significant potential for applications in challenging environments. The research, recently published in the journal Cyborg and Bionic Systems, demonstrates how this robot could revolutionize search-and-rescue operations, environmental monitoring, and industrial inspections.<\/p>\n

    Soft Robot Inspired by Nature<\/h2>\n

    The design of the soft robot is a testament to the brilliance of bioinspired engineering. By closely mimicking the movement mechanisms of earthworms and snakes, the researchers have created a machine capable of traversing both flat and complex surfaces. The robot moves by using inflatable soft actuators, which are arranged in an antagonistic manner to simulate the anisotropic anchoring used by worms. In nature, this involves tiny appendages called setae, which help worms gain traction. The robot’s kirigami skin<\/strong> plays a crucial role in this process by creating asymmetric friction, allowing the robot to apply different levels of resistance in different directions.<\/p>\n

    The rectilinear motion, or straight crawling, is achieved by inflating chambers in sequence, while steering is managed through asymmetric gaits that enable turning. This innovative approach ensures that the robot not only moves efficiently but also adapts to its environment. The onboard proximity sensors further enhance its navigation capabilities, providing real-time data to a human-machine interface (HMI) that allows for manual guidance and adjustments.<\/p>\n

    This Chinese Megafirm Is Going All-In: A Record Investment in Humanoid Robots Sparks Fears of a Fully Automated Future<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n