Bio-Mimic, Fast-Moving, and Flippable Soft Piezoelectric Robots

Cheetahs achieve high-speed movement and unique athletic gaits through the contraction and expansion of their limbs during the gallop. However, few soft robots can mimic their gaits and achieve the same speed of movement. Inspired by the motion gait of cheetahs, here the resonance of double spiral structure for amplified motion performance and environmental adaptability in a soft-bodied hopping micro-robot is exploited. The 0.058 g, 10 mm long tethered soft robot is capable of achieving a maximum motion speed of 42.8 body lengths per second (BL/s) and a maximum average turning speed of 482 degrees s(-1). In addition, this robot can maintain high speed movement even after flipping. The soft robot's ability to move over complex terrain, climb hills, and carry heavy loads as well as temperature sensors is demonstrated. This research opens a new structural design for soft robots: a double spiral configuration that efficiently translates the deformation of soft actuators into swift motion of the robot with high environmental adaptability.

Automated summary

Inspired by the motion gait of cheetahs, researchers have developed a soft-bodied hopping micro-robot with a double spiral structure that amplifies its motion performance and environmental adaptability. This robot can achieve high-speed movement, navigate complex terrain, climb hills, carry heavy loads, and even includes temperature sensors.