Scientists have developed a round robot without legs or wheels that can roll on difficult terrain.
ROSPHERE can be used for many different types of missions because it can move on its own and is "inherently stable," according to a Universidad Politécnica de Madrid press release. The robot is able to move on its own in a similar way as a hamster moves around in a rolling ball. The robot boasts a "spherical form that, literally, scrolls by itself." ROSPHERE moves on a principle of "relative simplicity involving the understanding of an essential physic concept: the center of mass."
Using the example of hamsters, the spherical robot changes the position of its inner mass, similar to the way a rodent could move around inside the ball causing motion.
Instead of a hamster, the robot contains a "mechatronic" system that works with a program used to induce motion.
The little robot has a pendulum system capable of performing two separate motions, this allows the ROSPHERE to move in either straight lines or in curves.
Researchers spent the most time developing the hamster-replacing "mechanics and control electronics, communications and programming mechatronics," and developed two forms of the technology.
After the electronics were developed, the robot was tested in diverse scenarios to discover its variety of uses. The most prevalent use was the ability to help farmers in the field.
ROSPHERE was tested in maize fields to see if it would be helpful in monitoring the precision of certain farming techniques, it proved to be successful. The robot was also tested for safety, to make sure it would not be a danger to humans when out on a mission.
"ROSPHERE has shown a great potential for different applications on its preliminary tests. Improving its autonomous navigation or its mechanical strength would increase its application fields," according to the press release.
WATCH:
