Built to mimic the way a rat feels its way with its whiskers, a research team from Britain unveiled a robot built like a rat that could navigate its way through rubble in the search and rescue of potential victims.
Prior robots built with rescue operations in mind have used added cameras to find their way, but with the Scratchbot, movements is determined entirely by the plastic whiskers, which move back and forth to find objects at up to five times per second.
The rodent robot was built on the way real rats search through dark environments using their whiskers to figure out what type of object they've come up against by also moving their whiskers back and forth.
Three drive units operating independently allow the Scratchbot to move in any direction it needs to.
Rodent Rescuer
Rat-like Scratchbot Robot Navigates Using 'Whiskers'
Trend Themes
1. Whisker-based Navigation - The use of whisker-like sensors for navigation in robots presents an opportunity for disruptive innovation in the field of search and rescue robotics.
2. Rat-inspired Robotics - Designing robots that mimic the behaviors and characteristics of rats could revolutionize search and rescue operations and other industries that require navigation in complex environments.
3. Sensor-driven Movement - Developing robots that rely on sensor-driven movements rather than traditional camera-based navigation opens up possibilities for disruptive innovation in various industries.
Industry Implications
1. Search and Rescue - The use of whisker-based navigation in robots could greatly enhance search and rescue operations by enabling them to navigate through rubble and locate potential victims more effectively.
2. Robotics - Rat-inspired robotics has the potential to transform the field of robotics by incorporating natural behaviors and adapting them to various applications.
3. Automation - Sensor-driven movement in robots can revolutionize automation in industries such as manufacturing, logistics, and agriculture by enabling more efficient and adaptable robotic systems.