While the use of robots to handle dangerous tasks is now commonplace, a cost-effective robot able to navigate unstable, unknown, or hard-to-reach terrain while delivering valuable data or assets is still novel. Whether due to natural disasters, man-made hazards, worksite accidents, or new exploration efforts, there is an urgent need for non-human surveillance, search-and-rescue efforts, and data collection methods.
To address this problem, researchers at The University of Alabama have developed a modular, soft-material robot capable of locomotion in unstructured environments that can withstand impact, store energy, & morph into desired profiles. With its ability to change dimensions, this robot can fit into small spaces & aid in various tasks, such as exploration and search-and-rescue, significantly reducing risk for personnel while increasing environmental access and survival chances.