Self-shaping robot

Like a sculpture created in life, a new robot creates parts of the 'body' by spraying foam.

>>> Video: Robot self-shaping

According to New Scientist, which was conceived by Shai Revzen and colleagues at the University of Pennsylvania, Foambot includes a 'mother ship' platform with wheels and simple coupling modules. folding and bending.

Foambot robot

The platform has an on-site supply of chemical reagents and a nozzle. When mixed, the reactants expand into solid urethane foam.

First, the remote-controlled platform arranges the modules on the floor, then it sprays foam to connect them into a necessary shape. Then the software analyzes the direction for the motor joints and devises a coordinated plan to trigger the robot.

Expert Revzen said the system would be very useful for situations where robots need to overcome unexpected obstacles. For example, a snake-like robot body can crawl around rocks, while a good four-legged structure crosses an open ground.

Since Foambot can return to the 'mother ship' for editing, they can be used to perform a variety of tasks.