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Ultrafast small-scale soft electromagnetic robots

Author

Listed:
  • Guoyong Mao

    (Johannes Kepler University)

  • David Schiller

    (Johannes Kepler University
    Johannes Kepler University)

  • Doris Danninger

    (Johannes Kepler University
    Johannes Kepler University)

  • Bekele Hailegnaw

    (Johannes Kepler University
    Johannes Kepler University)

  • Florian Hartmann

    (Johannes Kepler University
    Johannes Kepler University)

  • Thomas Stockinger

    (Johannes Kepler University
    Johannes Kepler University)

  • Michael Drack

    (Johannes Kepler University
    Johannes Kepler University)

  • Nikita Arnold

    (Johannes Kepler University
    Johannes Kepler University)

  • Martin Kaltenbrunner

    (Johannes Kepler University
    Johannes Kepler University)

Abstract

High-speed locomotion is an essential survival strategy for animals, allowing populating harsh and unpredictable environments. Bio-inspired soft robots equally benefit from versatile and ultrafast motion but require appropriate driving mechanisms and device designs. Here, we present a class of small-scale soft electromagnetic robots made of curved elastomeric bilayers, driven by Lorentz forces acting on embedded printed liquid metal channels carrying alternating currents with driving voltages of several volts in a static magnetic field. Their dynamic resonant performance is investigated experimentally and theoretically. These robust and versatile robots can walk, run, swim, jump, steer and transport cargo. Their tethered versions reach ultra-high running speeds of 70 BL/s (body lengths per second) on 3D-corrugated substrates and 35 BL/s on arbitrary planar substrates while their maximum swimming speed is 4.8 BL/s in water. Moreover, prototype untethered versions run and swim at a maximum speed of 2.1 BL/s and 1.8 BL/s, respectively.

Suggested Citation

  • Guoyong Mao & David Schiller & Doris Danninger & Bekele Hailegnaw & Florian Hartmann & Thomas Stockinger & Michael Drack & Nikita Arnold & Martin Kaltenbrunner, 2022. "Ultrafast small-scale soft electromagnetic robots," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:13:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-022-32123-4
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32123-4
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Yoonho Kim & Hyunwoo Yuk & Ruike Zhao & Shawn A. Chester & Xuanhe Zhao, 2018. "Printing ferromagnetic domains for untethered fast-transforming soft materials," Nature, Nature, vol. 558(7709), pages 274-279, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Nan Li & Yingxin Zhou & Yuqing Li & Chunwei Li & Wentao Xiang & Xueqing Chen & Pan Zhang & Qi Zhang & Jun Su & Bohao Jin & Huize Song & Cai Cheng & Minghui Guo & Lei Wang & Jing Liu, 2024. "Transformable 3D curved high-density liquid metal coils – an integrated unit for general soft actuation, sensing and communication," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-13, December.
    2. Yeongju Jung & Kangkyu Kwon & Jinwoo Lee & Seung Hwan Ko, 2024. "Untethered soft actuators for soft standalone robotics," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-19, December.
    3. Jiang Yan & Ying Zhang & Zongguang Liu & Junzhuan Wang & Jun Xu & Linwei Yu, 2023. "Ultracompact single-nanowire-morphed grippers driven by vectorial Lorentz forces for dexterous robotic manipulations," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-10, December.
    4. Zhiwei Liu & Wencheng Zhan & Xinyi Liu & Yangsheng Zhu & Mingjing Qi & Jiaming Leng & Lizhao Wei & Shousheng Han & Xiaoming Wu & Xiaojun Yan, 2024. "A wireless controlled robotic insect with ultrafast untethered running speeds," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-15, December.
    5. Yuanxi Zhang & Chengfeng Pan & Pengfei Liu & Lelun Peng & Zhouming Liu & Yuanyuan Li & Qingyuan Wang & Tong Wu & Zhe Li & Carmel Majidi & Lelun Jiang, 2023. "Coaxially printed magnetic mechanical electrical hybrid structures with actuation and sensing functionalities," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-15, December.

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