Watch Iron-Shelled Robo-Snails Swarming Together For Off-Road Tasks

Inspiration for robots frequently comes from unlikely places. The newest invention, snail-inspired robots, utilizes the sluggish movements of gastropods in natural settings to explore new swarm robotics possibilities. These flexible, snail-like robots are possible for various applications, from planetary exploration to disaster relief.

Swarm robotics has traditionally concentrated on underwater and aerial robots that can arrange themselves into three-dimensional structures. However, because of their horizontal movement, terrestrial bots cannot form multidimensional forms. This gap is filled by Da Zhao and colleagues at The Chinese University of Hong Kong with their ingenious snail-inspired robot.

Inspired by the White Jade land snail, the robot has a distinct suction cup mechanism and a ferromagnetic iron shell that houses the necessary electronics. With tracks resembling tanks and magnets, the robot climbs on top of other snail robots to carry out collaborative tasks and crosses a variety of terrains. Once positioned, the suction cup engages, allowing for flexible rotation while forming a strong link between the robots.

Outside experiments show that these robo-snails can navigate rugged terrain, overcome barriers, and even construct collaborative buildings. The future updates and improvements aim towards autonomy, broadening the spectrum of applications in real-world circumstances, while present experiments focus on remote control.

Apart from their striking resemblance to actual snails, these inventive robots demonstrate efficiency and adaptability in swarm operations, marking a breakthrough in collaborative robotics.

Source: Nature Communications