Scientists at the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation, IPA have designed a robot, which is agile and moves just like a spider.
Spider-Robot
This spider-like robot will prove very useful in undertaking critical and dangerous missions, which might be risky for humans. The robot is able to run past obstacles and ruts and is armed with a camera, which captures images that provide the operator with situational awareness and presence of poisonous substances in the environment. The robot moves quite stably with four legs always on the ground, just like how a real spider will move. The robot has been built to resemble the spider in its physical appearance as well.
The robot is still in the prototype stage and has been tested by being sent on hazardous missions, such as natural catastrophes, accidents in nuclear plants, gas leakages etc. The researchers are planning to design advanced models of the spider, which will be capable of jumping with the help of elastic bellows that are hydraulically powered. The robot is capable of carrying sensors and other measuring devices along with it. The robot limbs move freely with the help of hinges and elastic bellows. The robot is extremely light-weight and can be manufactured at low costs. The researchers at IPA have decided on using cost-effective production techniques such as the selective laser sintering (SLS) of plastics. This method of printing is particularly useful in producing complex geometries and light-weight components. The scientists explain that the leg modules of the robot can be designed with components that exhibit extreme load bearing capabilities. The research team will be presenting a model of the robot at the EuroMold 2011 trade fair scheduled to begin on 29 November at Frankfurt.