Researchers Create Robots Using 3D Printer

Researchers from MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence laboratory utilize 3D printing to develop robots that can walk by themselves. These robots are made from solid and liquids. They called the new printing process they applied as "printable hydraulics."

HNGN stated that liquids have never been used in 3D printing. On the other hand, the team of researchers uses a combination of solids and liquids to develop a more speedy creation of intricate designs. This decreases the money and time that are needed to create a robot.

Robert MacCurdy, an MIT postdoc and co-author of the study said that printable robots such as those made with solids and liquids can be quickly and cheaply fabricated. He also said that there are fewer electronic components needed than the traditional robots.

Yahoo reports that the researchers operate an Inkjet 3D printer, that can disperse bits of material with a size of about half of the human hair. While printing the structures, the printer positions the photopolymer material on the areas of the print and stabilizes them with a UV light while the liquid portions are untouched.

The researchers come up with a six-legged robot that has the ability to walk and powered by 12 hydraulic pumps that are printed inside the robot. The print process takes about 22 hours. Then, the team put a motor and battery inside its hexabot to allow the robot to move by itself.

The printer can also fabricate soft material arms that can lift fragile objects. The soft arms can be managed through the printable hydraulics.

"It makes a big difference in what kind of machines you can make," said Professor Daniela Rus, who supervised the experiment. She said that if you can fabricate complex in a speedy manner you can also print like you are printing on a piece of paper. This also frees you from worrying whether your robot has lost.