Researchers from The Chinese University of Hong Kong have developed an unusual snail-like robotic swarm capable of reconfiguring itself to operate in unstructured environments.
Each one of these robots boasts a ferromagnetic iron shell that contains a battery, microprocessor, and other electronic components. A set of tank-like rubber tracks on the bottom have embedded magnets for locomotion, while a retractable vacuum-powered suction cup can be found between the treads. ‘Strong Mode’ lets the robot cling tightly to the shell of another using the suction cup, enabling the swarm to climb obstacles.
- BUILD, CODE & DRIVE YOUR OWN ROBOT CAR: Turn coding, electronics and engineering into a working programmable robot car you can assemble, program and...
- EXPLORE FPV, LINE TRACKING & OBSTACLE AVOIDANCE: Control the robot with the ELEGOO app or IR remote, view live FPV video through the onboard camera...
- BEGINNER-FRIENDLY BUILD WITH GUIDED WIRING: Keyed XH2.54 connectors help reduce wiring mistakes, while the illustrated tutorial and example programs...
Outdoor experiments demonstrate the capabilities of individual robots and the exceptional synergy within the swarm. This research advances the real-world applications of terrestrial robotic swarms in unstructured environments,” said the researchers.
[Source]
