Self-assembly robots that walk away

A combination of origami and electronic engineering has led to the development of a robot that simply folds itself up and walks away. Using paper and polystyrene, researchers from Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) have built a robot that assembles itself in to a complex shape in just four minutes, and then scurries away without any human intervention. Described in Science, the technology demonstrates the potential to quickly and cheaply build sophisticated machines, automating much of the design and assembly process. “Getting a robot to assemble itself autonomously and actually perform a function has been a milestone we’ve been chasing for many years,” said Robert J. Wood, the Charles River Professor of Engineering and Applied Sciences. “Imagine a ream of dozens of robotic satellites sandwiched together so that they could be sent up to space and then assemble themselves remotely once they get there,” said doctoral student and lead author Sam Felton. “They could take images, collect data, and more.” The team, which also included researchers from MIT, created a full electromechanical system embedded into one flat sheet, said Felton. Computer design tools were used to develop the optimal design and fold pattern and after 40 prototypes, a machine capable of folding itself up and walking away emerged. The refined design is based on a flat sheet, with two motors, two batteries and a microcontroller to act as the robot’s brain. The sheet is a composite of paper and prestretched polystyrene, and a single flexible circuit board in the middle. It also included hinges programmed to fold at specific angles, triggered by heat. Once cooled, the hinges become hard making the robot stiff. The robots might find use in space exploration, or investigating hazardous or confined environments. Wood hopes this work would one day lead to everyone having access to robotic assistance should they need it: “You would be able to come in, describe what you need in fairly basic terms, and come back an hour later to get your robotic helper.” http://youtu.be/9M1zNIVGrjM A method for building self-folding machines