Sidewinder-Inspired Self-Adjusting, Lateral-Rolling Soft Robots for Autonomous Terrain Exploration.

Area of Science:

• Soft robotics
• Materials science
• Biomimetic design

Background:

• Helical structures of liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) show potential for self-regulated rolling motions in soft robotics.
• Current understanding of LCE motion paths and terrain exploration capabilities is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a self-adjusting, lateral-rolling soft robot inspired by sidewinder snakes.
• To demonstrate autonomous locomotion and adaptive rolling along non-linear paths using LCE helical filaments (HFs).

Main Methods:

• Designed spring-like LCE HFs that autonomously respond to thermal cues.
• Programmed LCE HF movements by tuning filament properties (diameter, pitch, modulus) and environmental temperature.
• Tested robot's ability to explore diverse terrains and navigate obstacles.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated dynamic and sustainable locomotion with adaptive rolling.
• Achieved programmed movements allowing for programmed exploration of diverse terrains over a 600 cm² area.
• Successfully navigated over nine obstacles, including maze escaping, terrain exploration, target hunting, and surmounting staircases.

Conclusions:

• LCE HFs offer a promising platform for developing self-regulating soft robots with adaptable locomotion.
• The developed robot exhibits versatile terrain exploration and obstacle-navigating capabilities.
• Fine-tuning LCE HF properties and environmental temperature allows for programmable robotic movement.