Advanced Materials, Information and Communication
Steerable Soft Robot for Exploration Within Compact Area
Inventors: Dr. Phanindra Tallapragada
Keywords: Environment, Manufacturing, Automation Software
Market Overview
Soft robotics for exploration in North America was valued at $7.9M in 2021 and is expected to reach $34.5 in 2026, with a CAGR of 34.3%. Small-scale robots are used to navigate confined spaces such as pipe networks (gas, water, oil, or sewage), compact debris, or archaeological sites. Soft-body robots have been considered over the rigid counterpart due to the inability of hard-body robots to steer through junctions. Typical soft-body rely strongly on changing shape or stiffness to advance slowly within the pipe. Clemson University researchers have developed a soft-body robot that can advance through pipes quickly and reliably by using assorted vibrational inputs. The usage of vibrational inputs allow for high speeds on straight pathways and steering via pre-established motor sequences.
Applications:
Soft robotics for survey and exploration
Technical Summary:
The invention prototype is of two connected soft-body vibrational robots with bristles (bristlebot). The bristlebots are connected by with deformable helical coils that allow for flexibility around turns and junctions inside of a pipe network. Vibrational induction is used to advance the robot. The prototype has exhibited a speed of about 30 millimeters per second compared to non-vibrational robots exhibiting a speed of only a few millimeters per second. Fast speeds and steerability is made possible by changing the direction and speed of the vibrational motors. A steering sequence is created by differing the direction and speed of the two bristlebots. Being able to create motor sequences related to specific turns, allows for modifying sequences for different angles of attack.
Advantages:
- Configurability: Allows for common steering sequences to be automated once initiated
- Efficiency: Improves speed on straight paths and directed turns
- Versatility: Allows for easy adaptation of motor sequences to guide through turns of various angles
Technology Overview
State of Development
Prototype
Category
CURF Reference No.
2025-008
Inventors
Dr. Phanindra Tallapragada
For More Info, Contact:
Andy Bluvas
Assistant Director of IP Management
E: curf@clemson.edu
P: (864) 656-0797
Contact
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