Imagine a robot that can walk, hop, and swim, all without a brain, computer, or even sensors. It might sound like science fiction, but a team of researchers at AMOLF in Amsterdam have turned this idea into reality.
Using only soft tubes and a continuous stream of air, they have created one of the fastest and simplest soft robots to date. “My goal was to have a tube that when you bend it, it creates a kink and blocks water to go through,” explains lead author Alberto Comoretto. “This then began to oscillate at high frequency.” It’s this simple physical principle that became the foundation for his invention’s unique movement.
At first glance, this robot looks like a bundle of floppy tubes. But as air flows through its legs, they begin to wiggle, similar to those wacky waving inflatable dancing tube men you see outside car dealerships. On their own, the movements are random, but once you connect the legs together “it’s the second layer!” reports Alberto gleefully.
Because the tubes are connected by shorter and thinner air tubes that allow pressure signals to travel quickly between them, the robot’s limbs start to move in sync. Suddenly, the robot begins to walk, hop or even swim, with no computer required.
The robot’s design even allows its body to interact with its environment in just the right way to create coordinated movement. When it hits an obstacle, it changes direction. When it goes from land into water, it switches its movement style automatically. All of this happens without any instructions.
This approach could revolutionise how we think about robots. Instead of relying on complicated circuits and AI, future machines could use smart design and physical forces to achieve the same results - or even better. Possible applications include “smart pills” that move through the body without electronics, wearable robotic suits that help people walk, or machines built for space exploration where traditional computers might fail.
It could even be used in artificial hearts. “It’s a reliable system that doesn’t need software updates,” Alberto explains. “If I have an artificial heart and a software update comes out, I would be a bit skeptical about updating my heart.”
