NC State’s Groundbreaking Research: The Fastest Swimming Soft Robot
When you think of North Carolina State University, images of fierce athletic competition in swimming might come to mind. But did you know that NC State is also making waves in the world of robotics? That’s right! The impressive researchers in the Yin Lab are pushing the boundaries of soft robotics and have created the fastest swimming soft robots on the planet.
What Are Soft Robots?
So, what exactly are soft robots? In essence, these machines are crafted from flexible materials that allow them to mimic the movements of living creatures. Unlike traditional robots that use rigid structures and components, soft robots often rely on innovative actuation methods, such as pneumatics—a fancy term for using air to create movement.
Record-Breaking Speed
Just two years ago, the Yin Lab made headlines with their soft robot that could swim at an astonishing speed of 3.74 body lengths per second. Fast forward to December 2024, and that record has been shattered! The research team unveiled a new design that achieves a jaw-dropping speed of up to 6.8 body lengths per second. To put that into perspective: this tiny robot is less than 100 mm long, translating to a speed of less than 0.1 meters per second. For a fun comparison, Ryan Held, NC State’s swimming star, set the school record in the 50-yard freestyle at 18.56 seconds. If our little robot were the same height as Held, it would zoom through over 250 yards in that timeframe!
Inspired by Nature
The design of this speedy robot draws inspiration from the awe-inspiring manta ray. The body of the robot contains a soft pneumatic actuator, which serves as its “body,” while two rigid fins gracefully flap as the robot swims. When air is pumped into the actuator, it bends the fins—simulating the powerful downstroke of a manta ray’s fins. The innovation doesn’t stop there; these fins are monostable, meaning they snap back to their original position without needing additional actuation, unlike the previous bistable design that required effort for both the up and down strokes.
Efficiency and Agility
Thanks to its cutting-edge design, this new robot can adjust its depth according to the frequency of actuation. This attribute enhances the robot’s efficiency and maneuverability in the water. “Pumping air into the chamber introduces energy into the system,” explains Haitao Qing, the lead author of the paper and a dedicated Ph.D. student at NC State. “The fins want to return to their stable state, so releasing the air also releases the energy in the fins. That means we only need one actuator for the robot and allows for more rapid actuation.”
What’s Next?
The path ahead for the Yin Lab is filled with exciting possibilities! They aim to refine the lateral movements of the robot and experiment with new actuation methods that don’t rely on being tethered to a power source. It’s hard not to feel a sense of awe and anticipation for what these brilliant minds will come up with next!
To see the incredible speed and agility of this revolutionary robot in action, check out the video below!
[Video of the robot swimming]
The research team behind this amazing robot includes several talented individuals: Haitao Qing (NC State), Jiacheng Guo (UVA), Yuanhang Zhu (UC Riverside/UVA), Yinding Chi (NC State), Yaoye Hong (NC State), Daniel Quinn (UVA), Haibo Dong (UVA), and Jie Yin (NC State).
In Conclusion
The achievements of NC State’s Yin Lab put the university at the forefront of robotics research. With each breakthrough, they’re edging closer to the development of soft robots that can revolutionize various fields—from underwater exploration to medical applications.
The AI Buzz Hub team is excited to see where these breakthroughs take us. Want to stay in the loop on all things AI? Subscribe to our newsletter or share this article with your fellow enthusiasts.
