A prototype biomimetic worm bot has been created with a network of artificial “neurons”
Welcome to the iCover Blog Pages ! As we know, the nature around us is an inexhaustible source of useful knowledge and experience, which often find their application, both in the most promising technologies of the future, and at the most everyday level. The hero of our publication today is an ordinary earthworm, which inspired scientists to create a unique biomimetic robot. Despite the skeptical and hostile attitude of many towards earthworms, for their relatively short life they do a lot of useful work, and for robots present a real storehouse of valuable information.
Studies of the mechanism of movement of the earthworm allowed a joint group of engineers and neurologists of the Center for Biotechnological Research in Robotics of the Western Reserve University of Casey ( Case Western Reserve ) to create a prototype biomimetic worm bot CMMWorm. According to the inventors, the bot can be used in the study of inaccessible blockages, in rescue operations, when inspecting pipes, in medicine and in other areas where robots of other types cannot be used.
“Earthworms,” explains team leader Andrew Horchler, “move in a special way using peristalsis (wave-like contraction of the walls of hollow tubular organs, which promotes the movement of their contents to the outlet openings). “For this purpose, the worms use two types of muscles that can contract and expand the bags filled with fluid, making them wider and shorter, thinner and longer, which ultimately ensures their advancement in the preferred direction. ... Our prototype biomimetic worm-bot -” CMMWorm ”uses an outer mesh shell to form motion waves along the entire body."
The project was preceded by the creation of many intermediate kinematic models and 2D simulators, which over time can overcome the existing limitations of drive mechanisms on large segments. To analyze the physical processes of the movement of the earthworm and the subsequent implementation of their principles in the current model of the robot, the engineers needed to use the capabilities of mathematical algorithms and computer modeling. ” Having studied the elements of the physical and nervous system of the earthworm responsible for the process of its movement, Khorchler and his teammates created a 3D-printed robot with electronic control, which is able to accurately repeat the movements of the original worm. “This method of movement,” said the engineer, “can be very effective in tight spaces. For example,
Movement in the network space from the node modules is provided by electric drives synchronized with the central microcontroller, which makes it possible to simulate contraction and elongation. Many 3D-printed modules are interconnected through nylon molds and drive mechanisms. At the same time, the modular structure of the bot’s body, if necessary, is scaled by adding additional prefabricated “sections” as quickly and simply as adding Lego constructor elements.
“ The compression range of the body of the worm bot is up to 52% of the maximum diameterin combination with six independently controlled segments and the ability to replace the shell mesh with a preferred one, they significantly expand the application of the CMMWorm concept ... - explain the developers. - In the foreseeable future, it is possible to create microscopic modifications of CMM used to enter the human body during procedures like endoscopy.
The latest version of CMMWorm prototype modular biomimetic worm-bot
Despite the external simplicity of the bot's design, the finalization of the project to the level of scalable, and most importantly, effective solutions that can be used in accordance with their purpose by specialists, in their opinion, will take several more years.
You can learn more about the development here .
Dear readers, we are always happy to meet and wait for you on the pages of our blog. We are ready to continue to share with you the latest news, review articles and other publications and will try to do our best to make the time spent with us useful for you. And, of course, do not forget to subscribe to our columns .
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Studies of the mechanism of movement of the earthworm allowed a joint group of engineers and neurologists of the Center for Biotechnological Research in Robotics of the Western Reserve University of Casey ( Case Western Reserve ) to create a prototype biomimetic worm bot CMMWorm. According to the inventors, the bot can be used in the study of inaccessible blockages, in rescue operations, when inspecting pipes, in medicine and in other areas where robots of other types cannot be used.
“Earthworms,” explains team leader Andrew Horchler, “move in a special way using peristalsis (wave-like contraction of the walls of hollow tubular organs, which promotes the movement of their contents to the outlet openings). “For this purpose, the worms use two types of muscles that can contract and expand the bags filled with fluid, making them wider and shorter, thinner and longer, which ultimately ensures their advancement in the preferred direction. ... Our prototype biomimetic worm-bot -” CMMWorm ”uses an outer mesh shell to form motion waves along the entire body."
The project was preceded by the creation of many intermediate kinematic models and 2D simulators, which over time can overcome the existing limitations of drive mechanisms on large segments. To analyze the physical processes of the movement of the earthworm and the subsequent implementation of their principles in the current model of the robot, the engineers needed to use the capabilities of mathematical algorithms and computer modeling. ” Having studied the elements of the physical and nervous system of the earthworm responsible for the process of its movement, Khorchler and his teammates created a 3D-printed robot with electronic control, which is able to accurately repeat the movements of the original worm. “This method of movement,” said the engineer, “can be very effective in tight spaces. For example,
Movement in the network space from the node modules is provided by electric drives synchronized with the central microcontroller, which makes it possible to simulate contraction and elongation. Many 3D-printed modules are interconnected through nylon molds and drive mechanisms. At the same time, the modular structure of the bot’s body, if necessary, is scaled by adding additional prefabricated “sections” as quickly and simply as adding Lego constructor elements.
“ The compression range of the body of the worm bot is up to 52% of the maximum diameterin combination with six independently controlled segments and the ability to replace the shell mesh with a preferred one, they significantly expand the application of the CMMWorm concept ... - explain the developers. - In the foreseeable future, it is possible to create microscopic modifications of CMM used to enter the human body during procedures like endoscopy.
The latest version of CMMWorm prototype modular biomimetic worm-bot
Despite the external simplicity of the bot's design, the finalization of the project to the level of scalable, and most importantly, effective solutions that can be used in accordance with their purpose by specialists, in their opinion, will take several more years.
You can learn more about the development here .
Dear readers, we are always happy to meet and wait for you on the pages of our blog. We are ready to continue to share with you the latest news, review articles and other publications and will try to do our best to make the time spent with us useful for you. And, of course, do not forget to subscribe to our columns .
Our other articles and events