Robotic Spider
German firm Fraunhofer has created a robotic spider for hazardous missions using 3D printing.
Spiders are very agile, and some can even jump. They owe this capability to their hydraulically operated limbs. Researchers have now designed a mobile robot modeled on the same principle that moves spider legs. Created using a 3-D printing process, this lightweight can explore terrain that is beyond human reach.
Using an elastic drive bellows, the eight legs are pneumatically controlled. The robot is light , quick to produce and not costly thanks to a 3D printing method. The spider robot is so cheap that Fraunhofer envisions throwing it away after being only used once. Anyone want a cheap 3D printable robotic spider army?
The robot will be shown at the upcoming Euromold trade show in Frankfurt Germany from November 29 – December 12.
