A new robotic turtle under development at Yale University could revolutionize the exploration of treacherous regions where land meets sea. Thanks to its extraordinary ability to transform its own, in fact, this amphibious robot can proceed successfully both in water and on land. Second Rebecca Kramer-Bottiglio from Yale University, “Most amphibious robots use dedicated propulsion systems in each environment, but our system adapts a single propulsion mechanism for both environments. ART (this is the name of the cybernetic turtle) has four limbs that can switch from a fin state for aquatic locomotion to a leg state for terrestrial locomotion”.
How does the ART robotic turtle work?
In the study recently published in Nature (I link it here), the Yale team details how ART works. His soft robotic limbs are a technological marvel, designed to change shape quickly and accurately. Each of them is wrapped in a polymer composite material that softens when heated and becomes stiff when cooled.
To change the shape of the limb, an internal system heats the external material, allowing an underlying robotic “muscle” to inflate or deflate. This turns a flat fin into a rounded leg or vice versa. Once the polymer has cooled and hardened around the new shape, the process is complete, and this can happen in as little as two minutes.
The robot's modular chassis is protected by sealed PVC tubes to keep electronic components safe from water, while a 3D printed shell gives the robot an aerodynamic shape and space to adjust buoyancy with air or ballast.
Soft robot and traditional robotics in one device
The uniqueness of this robotic turtle (for which once again we have to thank the biomimetics. Nature is always a teacher) is that it combines traditional and soft robotic techniques. “He is a true transformist” he states Tonnes Nygaard, robotics expert at Oslo Metropolitan University. Traditionally, robot mobility is rigid and precise: on the other hand, soft robots do not have the right structure to hold up in particular situations.
ART adds both things: thanks to this approach, robots will be able to move more fluidly and adapt to different surfaces and environments. Move without having to carry additional propulsion systems that could reduce the efficiency of their movement. Consuming the same energy as a "traditional" robot.
Next steps
The robotic turtle is still trying to reach the finish line, but researchers are working hard to resolve some issues. Currently, the prototype depends on a cable for power and communication, and its movements are still a bit clunky. I'm curious to see what these experts will be able to create in a few years. The direction seems to be the right one, and it can change the entire locomotion system that cars currently adopt.
