In spite of their simplistic appearance, soft robots are actually very versatile and can be used for a variety of different tasks. For example, they could be used as assistants in factories or as service robots that assist people with day-to-day tasks. On the other hand, hard robots are typically more accurate and can be used for more specialized tasks such as security or surveying.
Roboticists would do well to marry the two, in order to harness the best of both worlds. By using softer materials and more flexible mechanisms, roboticists can create more lifelike machines. This combination of rigidity and softness is often what gives robots their unique appeal, and coupling it with clever engineering means that they can be adapted to a variety of tasks.
The recent advancement of 3D printing technology has allowed for a plethora of new applications, from custom prosthetic limbs to whole objects
The aquabots are designed to be able to move through water more easily than traditional robots, and they can also be reconfigured to create new patterns. This makes them ideal for tasks such as patrolling a port or searching for pollutants in the water.
The RoboTuna project is focused on developing a mobile robotic device that can create waves on the surface of the water to reduce drag and improve propulsion. This technology has the potential to save considerable amounts of fuel, resulting in significant environmental benefits.
The modular design of the robot allows for a great deal of flexibility in terms of shape and size. This makes it possible to create a variety of different types of robots, all with the same underlying hardware. As such, the system could be used to build larger and more sophisticated machines in the future.
This simple building block could allow for the creation of incredibly snake-like robots that are scalable and able to perform complex tasks.
Creating a modular robotics system could dramatically reduce the assembly time required to build these robots, making them more accessible and decreasing their costs. This innovative design could also help to increase the accessibility of these technologies for research and development.
