MTI robot snake as an experiment of the physical interface of the future

    Most often, from the word “robot” an image of a humanoid appears in the head, which can perform the same tasks as a person. But other forms of the bodies of man-made helpers can also be useful for humanity. Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have developed the LineFORM project . This is a robot that looks like a snake, capable of taking various forms in three-dimensional space. The project has the status of a concept. Within its framework, researchers tried to imagine how a similar form can be used in real life. And they found some interesting uses.



    The robot is called the “Shape Changing Interface”. LineFORM is a line. It has some interesting features for creating an interactive interface. A line can take abstract forms and interact with the user in many different ways. Methods of use are limited only by mechanical characteristics.

    Two LineFORM prototypes have been created: one is “manual” and can fit in the palm of your hand, if desired, the second is larger and is able to entangle a person’s limb. Both devices consist of a plurality of electric motors connected to each other. The small one consists of 21 Hitec HS-5035HD servomotors with a torque of 0.8 kg · cm, the large one is 28 pieces of Dynamixel AX-18A with a torque of 18.3 kg · cm. The length of the first is 47 cm, the second is 183 cm.



    The robot detects (with potentiometers in engines and sensors in the skin) and controls its own shape and can control the rigidity of its joints. LineFORM may or may not be flexible. Researchers do not go into the details of the structure of snakes and the mechanism of the software that allows them to function. They only mention that everything works under the control of Arduino Mega and programs on OS X. The main question that interested the researchers was how to apply a similar design in the interfaces of the future. And the answers to it were offered.

    A robot can imitate various objects of real life. The little snake wraps around the wrist like a watch. When a call arrives, or simply needs to notify of a notification, she starts tapping the owner's hand.



    Then it is converted to a touch surface with a display. True, the researchers proposed to imagine that the touch surface was created - this is just a concept. After receiving a call, the snake becomes a handset. Probably in the concept there is no microphone with a speaker. If you pass the line through the cable, you can visualize the flow of data that passes through it. The small robot also has suitable sizes to draw with it - just make it take on various shapes and circle them. The line is more capable of larger tasks. The researchers presented how one of the ends can put a light source. LineFORM settles down on a table in the form, convenient for the user. Using joints, the snake formed a switch, the bend of which turns the light on or off.













    If you wrap a large line around the arm, then you can provide different degrees of rigidity. Some joints are stiff, others allow varying degrees of depression. A robot wrapped around a hand records movements on one user and plays on another.



    LineFORM is not without flaws and runs the risk of forever remaining a concept. The system has a limited resolution, and its increase will require a larger number of servomotors. This in turn will increase cost and energy consumption - and the latter is important for mobile devices. The created volumetric figures are limited by their own weight. Researchers believe that the concept has a future. Perhaps future prototypes will be able to control not only the bend and its strength, but also the length, thickness and extensibility. The work carried out concerned only interaction with a person, but not with other objects. Study Text

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