A cutting-edge robot, inspired by the movement of snails, has been created by a team of researchers at the University of Bristol. This innovative robot features a sliding suction mechanism that allows it to glide on water, mimicking the adhesive properties of a snail’s mucus.
Published in Nature Communications on May 13, this study showcases a unique approach for robots to effortlessly scale walls, revolutionizing the inspection of challenging surfaces like wind turbine blades, ship hulls, aircraft, and skyscraper windows. The sliding suction technology also holds promise for various applications in robotics, including industrial gripping, climbing, outdoor exploration, and transportation.
The key to snails’ smooth sliding motion lies in their mucus secretion, which reduces friction and enhances adhesion. Lead author Tianqi Yue explains that the team developed a ‘sliding suction’ mechanism for the robot, allowing it to navigate surfaces with stability and efficiency, even while carrying heavy loads.
By utilizing water as an artificial mucus, the researchers optimized the robot’s suction cup materials and mechatronic system. The robot demonstrated impressive capabilities, such as carrying a 200g mass, navigating around obstacles, and sliding with a 1kg load – ten times its weight.
The sliding suction technology enables the robot to move vertically and even upside down, achieving high speeds without requiring energy for static adhesion. Tianqi highlights the advantages of this mechanism, including low energy consumption, high adhesion efficiency, safety, and a minimal water trail.
The researchers believe that the sliding suction mechanism represents a groundbreaking clean climbing strategy, paving the way for advancement in next-generation climbing robots. This research significantly contributes to the field of robotics and opens up new possibilities for innovative applications.
