Kirigami Robot Mimics Snake Scales to Crawl Anywhere. Here's How

Описание: Kirigami Robot Mimics Snake Scales to Crawl Anywhere

Harvard SEAS researchers have developed a soft robot that moves like a snake using kirigami, a cutting technique that transforms flat materials into textured, functional surfaces. Inspired by how snakes use their scales to grip the ground, the team created a laser-cut plastic sheet that pops into 3D “scales” when stretched.

This kirigami skin is wrapped around an inflatable tube-like actuator. As the actuator fills with air, the cuts lift and grip the surface. When it deflates, the scales flatten, helping the robot slide forward. This simple motion cycle allows the robot to crawl smoothly without any rigid parts.

To improve performance, the researchers tested several cut patterns. Trapezoidal cuts worked best, matching the shape and efficiency of natural snake scales. The team also built a fully untethered version with integrated power, control, and sensing systems, allowing it to explore different terrains independently.

Lightweight, flexible, and easy to manufacture, this kirigami-based design could pave the way for future soft robots used in search and rescue, hazardous inspections, environmental monitoring, or even minimally invasive medical procedures. The study highlights how nature-inspired engineering can lead to powerful but simple robotic solutions.

Reference: 
Ahmad Rafsanjani et al., Kirigami skins make a simple soft actuator crawl.Sci. Robot.3,eaar7555(2018).DOI:10.1126/scirobotics.aar7555

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