In cramped spacecraft or house stations, there sometimes is not room to retailer a number of robots which can be every designed for a particular process. The Mori3 system was designed with that reality in thoughts, as it may be used to create several types of robots as wanted.

Developed by Prof. Jamie Paik and colleagues at Switzerland’s EPFL analysis institute, the Mori3 setup consists of a number of flat triangular modules outfitted with electronics (similar to motors, batteries and sensors) and mechanical coupling mechanisms. In a course of often known as polygon meshing, teams of those modules will be joined collectively alongside the sides, forming a single three-dimensional polygon-shaped robotic.

The dimensions and configuration of that polygon varies, relying on the duty for which the robotic is required. Amongst different issues, it may stroll on 4 legs, type itself right into a robotic arm, or roll like a wheel. Moreover, a number of such robots can join to 1 one other if crucial, briefly forming right into a single bigger robotic.

Christoph Belke, EPFL RRL

In keeping with the scientists, Mori3-based bots “are good at doing the three issues that robots ought to be capable to do,” specifically transferring round below their very own energy, interacting with human customers, plus dealing with and transporting objects. It’s hoped that they may finally be used for duties similar to helping astronauts inside spacecraft, or performing exterior repairs on their very own.

“Polygonal and polymorphic robots that join to 1 one other to create articulated buildings can be utilized successfully for quite a lot of functions,” stated Paik. “After all, a general-purpose robotic like Mori3 shall be much less efficient than specialised robots in sure areas. That stated, Mori3’s largest promoting level is its versatility.”

A paper on the expertise was just lately printed within the journal Nature Machine Intelligence. The system will be seen in motion, within the video under.

Supply: EPFL