An Ultralightweight and Living Legged Robot

Area of Science:

• Robotics
• Bio-hybrid systems
• Insect-robotics

Background:

• Traditional legged robots face challenges in complex terrain navigation and power consumption.
• Developing cost-effective, low-power robots for search and rescue is a significant goal.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the development of the most ultralightweight living legged robot to date.
• To demonstrate the feasibility of using a living beetle with a wireless electronic stimulator as a robot for search and rescue missions.

Main Methods:

• A living beetle was equipped with a wireless electronic backpack stimulator on its thorax.
• The robot's compliant body integrated soft actuators, rigid exoskeletons, and flexure hinges.
• Antenna stimulation was used to control locomotion, including turning, backward walking, and stopping.

Main Results:

• The living robot robot demonstrated adaptability to complex terrain due to its compliant structure and the insect's inherent self-balancing capabilities.
• Locomotion control was achieved through antenna stimulation, enabling graded turning and backward walking speeds by adjusting stimulation frequency.
• The robot exhibited ultralow power consumption, in the order of hundreds of microwatts, for antenna stimulation.

Conclusions:

• This bio-hybrid robot offers a low-cost, easy-to-construct, and simple-to-control alternative to traditional legged robots.
• Its ultralightweight design, adaptability, and minimal power requirements make it a strong candidate for search and rescue applications.