Despite their limited physical capabilities, snails surprisingly excel at conquering vertical terrain with the aid of their singularly remarkable, moisture-rich suction-cup foot. A novel bio-inspired robot navigates walls by replicating the straightforward yet effective process, conveniently leaving a trail of water instead of mucus.
Dubbed a “sliding suction robotic” (SSR), researchers at the University of Bristol, led by analysis affiliate Tianqi Yue and colleagues, have developed a groundbreaking proof-of-concept system. Weighing a mere 96 grams (3.4 oz), the compact device fits snugly in one’s palm, with the potential to be scaled up according to demand.
At the base of the SSR’s sleek, rotund silhouette lies a discreet 50-millimeter-wide suction cup, ready to securely fasten the device in place. The cup’s primary material is robust polyurethane, with the underside featuring a unique blend of silicone and hydrophilic polymer. A ring of highly porous foam lines the periphery of the suction cup’s base.
College of Bristol
The robot is initially pressed firmly against a wall by hand. While this motion anchors the bot to the wall, it restricts its ability to reposition or adjust its trajectory.
To ensure that that As a prerequisite for its activation to occur, water is circulated from the onboard storage tank through four silicone tubes and into the froth generator ring. Subsequently, capillary action draws water from the foam and across the underside of the suction cup, creating a thin film of liquid that provides both lubrication. and maintains the seal.
Two motors, one situated on each side of a suction cup, power two wheeled mechanisms that propel the robot along the wall surface. Though some Water residue lingers on the wall adjacent to the SSR’s trajectory, where it undergoes repeated transformations to form a uniform layer beneath the cup, optimizing its performance. Snails achieve locomotion by maintaining suction in a similar manner to slugs, albeit they replace water with a layer of mucus.
The robot demonstrated impressive capabilities during lab tests, effortlessly scaling vertical surfaces such as glass and painted steel at a pace of up to 19 mm (0.75 in) per second, while also showcasing its ability to pivot on the spot and seamlessly transition from upside-down positions to navigating underneath horizontal sheets. The robotic arm was also equipped to carry payloads of up to 200 grams, equivalent to approximately 7 ounces, while withstanding forces of 1 kilogram, or roughly 2.2 pounds, in the downward direction.
Initially, scientists calculate that the estimated run-time of SSR should realistically last around an hour per battery charge. When unattended, the robotic vacuum doesn’t consume any power to maintain its suction functionality.
The attainable applications of Spectral Surface Reconstruction (SSR) include inspecting and maintaining wind turbine blades, examining the hulls of ships, and surveying the exterior facades of high-rise buildings.
According to Tianqi Yue, researchers have confirmed that sliding suction technology boasts a trifecta of benefits: it consumes minimal energy, exhibits superior adhesion efficiency and safety, supports high loading capacities, and is remarkably straightforward, all while leaving behind a brief, easily evaporated water path. “What stands out as the most exciting finding from our research is the identification of a revolutionary, clear-climbing technique via the proposed sliding suction mechanism, which has the potential to significantly accelerate the development of next-generation climbing robots.”
A recent publication has appeared in a journal featuring an analysis. . In this video, you may catch a glimpse of the SSR in action, with the added option to utilize an external water source in certain scenarios.
For another instance of snail-inspired robots, consider those that form clusters, adhering to each other to jointly accomplish outdoor tasks.
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