Scientists create soft robots able to walk out of the printers which made them
Building and operating their new system – known as the Flex Printer – requires little prior knowledge, with first-time users able to assemble it and begin making robots in just a few days, the team said.
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Miami Herald
30-05-2025
- Miami Herald
Palm-sized robots build themselves and take their first steps immediately
Building and operating the new system – known as the Flex Printer – requires little prior knowledge, with first-time users able to assemble it and begin making robots in just a few days, the team says. They have made their designs publicly available to broaden access to soft robotic technologies and to help foster collaboration and improvements to the system. Maks Gepner, of the University's Schools of Engineering and Informatics, said: "It used to take years to figure out how to print using these materials. Using our new platform, anyone can now easily print things which were previously thought to be impossible. This is a game-changer for engineers and artists alike. "Our hope is that this technology will help drive the next wave of research breakthroughs. Without the long-standing manufacturing and design bottlenecks holding it back, we believe soft robotics is ready to make a major real-world impact." The lead engineer on the project was Maks Gepner, with support from Jonah Mack, both PhD students in the Centre for Doctoral Training in Robotics and Autonomous Systems. The lead academic was Professor Adam A. Stokes, Head of the Institute for Bioengineering at The University of Edinburgh. The findings are published in the journal Device, part of the prestigious Cell Press group of journals. The post Palm-sized robots build themselves and take their first steps immediately appeared first on Talker. Copyright Talker News. All Rights Reserved.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Yahoo
Scientists create first soft robots that can walk off machine that makes them
Scientists in Scotland have created the first soft robots that can walk straight out of the machines that make them. The flexible, four-legged devices were developed using a new 3D printing system, which could pave the way for the use of intelligent soft robotic systems with no electronic parts. Soft machines – made from compliant materials such as soft plastics – have huge potential for use in areas such as nuclear decommissioning, the biomedical sector and in space, researchers say. A lack of standardised design and manufacturing processes, expense and the need for specialist expertise has so far limited real-world use of the devices, experts say. A team from the University of Edinburgh sought to overcome these challenges by developing a low-cost, desktop 3D printing system for creating soft robots. READ MORE: Scottish tech company reveals plans to double job numbers Heriot-Watt team achieves a revolution in photonics Augmented reality tech transforming visits to Scottish castles to go global Their user-friendly setup can be assembled for less than £400 using off-the-shelf parts. The team demonstrated the capabilities of their new system by creating robots made solely from a soft plastic material and powered by air pressure. Once printed, the palm-sized devices are connected to a compressed air supply before walking out of the machine on which they were made. Building and operating the new system – known as the Flex Printer – requires little prior knowledge, with first-time users able to assemble it and begin making robots in just a few days, the team says. They have made their designs publicly available to broaden access to soft robotic technologies and to help foster collaboration and improvements to the system. Soft robot walks off machine (Image: University of Edinburgh) The findings are published in the journal Device, part of the prestigious Cell Press group of journals. The research was funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). The lead engineer on the project was Maks Gepner, with support from Jonah Mack, both PhD students in the Centre for Doctoral Training in Robotics and Autonomous Systems. The lead academic was Professor Adam A. Stokes, Head of the Institute for Bioengineering at The University of Edinburgh. Maks Gepner, of the University's Schools of Engineering and Informatics, said: 'It used to take years to figure out how to print using these materials. Using our new platform, anyone can now easily print things which were previously thought to be impossible. This is a game-changer for engineers and artists alike. 'Our hope is that this technology will help drive the next wave of research breakthroughs. Without the long-standing manufacturing and design bottlenecks holding it back, we believe soft robotics is ready to make a major real-world impact."
The National
26-05-2025
- The National
World's first 'soft robots' developed by Edinburgh University
The palm-sized, four-legged robots are flexible and can walk straight off the 3D-printing machines that make them. Intelligent and soft robotic devices like these could have a huge impact on areas like nuclear decommissioning, the biomedical sector, and the space sector, according to researchers at the University of Edinburgh. (Image: University of Edinburgh) 'Our hope is that this technology will help drive the next wave of research breakthroughs,' said Maks Gepner, lead engineer on the project and PhD student at the university's Centre for Doctoral Training in Robotics and Autonomous Systems. 'It used to take years to figure out how to print using these materials. Using our new platform, anyone can now easily print things which were previously thought to be impossible. This is a game-changer for engineers and artists alike,' he added. Soft robotics and machines are inspired by biology and combined with engineering systems to create fluid, delicate devices, according to the researchers. These new robots are made solely from plastic and, once printed, are powered by compressed air supplied through a tube. READ MORE: Bus routes disrupted across west Scotland amid Stagecoach strike To develop the devices, the research team created a new 3D-printing system named Flex Printer, which can be assembled with off-the-shelf parts for less than £400. According to the researchers, the project aims to widen the access to these robotics by making them at a lower cost and in a more user-friendly way. The team at the University of Edinburgh seeks to increase the current limited real-world use of these robots, due to issues with standardisation, manufacturing processes, expenses, and expertise. To broaden access and use of the technology, the researchers have made their printing system publicly available. 'Little prior knowledge' is required for users to assemble it and make robots in just a few days, they added.
