These Air-Powered Soft Robots Will Help Make Space Exloration Easier

Robots technology and space exploration develop to the next level thanks to the birth of soft robots. They provide a gentler, kinder approach to automation; however, their potentials are still limited by costs, complexity, as well as the need for wires.

But the soft robots developed by Harvard's Wyss Institute’s scientists can solve these problems. This kind of robots was invented for the purpose of approaching to aquatic life and marine creatures more easily and safely. The outstanding feature of these robots is the soft arm. It is said that it is soft enough to touch and pet such a fragile creature like jellyfish. Moreover, with the wireless sensors designed in a glove, scientists can control the robots’ arm by waving their hands. It can be said that soft robots are an amazing achievement.

Along with their advantages to automation, soft robots meet some difficulties with costs, complexity and the demand for wires. Fortunately, it has become more simple thanks to the Harvard researchers’ method. They use pressurized air to drive a soft robot. This way is more convenient as it has no demand for multiple control systems. The legs of robots can be controlled by air which is pumped into through tubes. There are different sizes of tubes which match different behaviors. To ask the robot to do an action, it is necessary to choose the suitable tube to pump air into.

They are experimenting with a cross-shaped bot which is very simple and air-powered. To move, it needs an air source from outside. Although it looks simple, it can do more than your expectation. Its advantages are reduced parts and simplicity. With these features, it becomes practical and useful for many tasks to which it is difficult to approach. Thanks to this, space exploration, rescue and search become easier. Unlike fragile traditional robots with ability limitation, soft robots could deal with rough terrain easily. Also, it is likely that they are more affordable in case of nothing wrong.