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Soldiers in the future could be equipped with “Soft Exosuits” under their combat gear, making it easier to walk long distances and carry heavy loads, thanks to robotic research going on at Harvard University and grant money from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).
“Earlier versions of soft robots were all tethered. We wanted to challenge people’s concept of what a robot has to look like,” said Michael Tolley, a research associate from the Wyss Institute.
The system designed by Tolley and colleagues is huge, measuring more than a half a metre in length and capable of carrying as much as 3.5 kg on its back.
It is made of “composite” silicone rubber made from stiff rubber impregnated with hollow glass microspheres to reduce the robot’s weight.
The robot’s bottom was made from Kevlar fabric to ensure it was tough and lightweight.
“The result is a robot that can stand up to a host of extreme conditions,” Tolley added.
Researchers tested the robot in snow, submerged it in water, made it walk through flames and even ran over it with the help of a car. After each experiment, it emerged unscathed.
“Though additional hurdles remain – such as increasing the speed of the robots and outfitting them with sensors – the development of an untethered soft robot is a major advance,” Tolley noted.
Agencies/Canadajournal
