Air-powered Robot Uses Physics Instead Of Circuits To Walk On “Tube Legs”

While soft-bodied robots are often simple and cost-effective, their movement typically relies on complex electronic systems. That’s not the case with a new model developed by researchers at the AMOLF institute in the Netherlands, which harnesses a physical principle to move its inflatable legs automatically.

Innovative Design Using Inflatable Tubes

The robot, created by Alberto Comoretto, Mannus Schomaker, and Bas Overvelde, was built in both two- and four-legged versions. Each leg consists of a loop made from elastomer tubing with a deliberate kink in it.

As the system steadily pumps air into the tube, the kink moves along its length and makes the leg oscillate. This principle also drives the motion of the well-known inflatable “tube dancers” often seen outside businesses.

At first, the robot’s legs move erratically. However, within milliseconds, they begin to coordinate with each other and the terrain, resulting in synchronized movement. On flat surfaces, the robot can travel at an impressive speed of up to 30 body lengths per second—outperforming other air-powered robots.

If the robot stumbles or encounters uneven ground, it quickly regains its rhythm as soon as it picks up speed. Even more remarkably, when it enters water, it instinctively switches to a back-and-forth swimming motion, thanks to the physical properties of liquids.

Physics Over Electronics

“Simple objects, like tubes, can give rise to complex and functional behavior—if we understand how to leverage the underlying physics,” says Associate Professor Overvelde. “There’s no brain, no computer… but when properly designed, it can outperform many robotic systems and behave like an artificial creature.”

The team envisions using this technology in applications such as microrobots that deliver drugs directly inside the body, energy-efficient assistive exoskeletons, and machines designed to operate in extreme environments where traditional electronics might fail—like outer space.

Read the original article on: New Atlas

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