Scientists have created a small, pliable robot capable of navigating through debris after an earthquake to find people trapped beneath or moving within the human body for targeted drug delivery.
These gentle robots, constructed using substances that emulate the movements of living creatures, provide a safer and more versatile option compared to stiff machinery. Nonetheless, merging electronic components into such pliable frameworks has consistently posed a significant obstacle.
Researchers at Pennsylvania State University have created robots incorporating embedded magnetic substances that can be manipulated using external magnetic fields for movement. Through modifications of the field's intensity and orientation, they can command movements such as bending, rotating, and creeping without relying on wired connections or internal power sources.
We aimed to create a system where soft robotics and flexible electronics operate harmoniously," explained Huanyu Cheng, an associate professor of Engineering Science and Mechanics at Penn State, in a statement. "Since conventional electronics are inflexible, incorporating them poses challenges. To address this, we devised a method for distributing electronic parts so as to retain the robot's pliability without compromising its reliable operation.
Smart soft machines
A major hurdle in crafting soft robots lies in embedding flexible electronics without impeding their motion. Despite being designed for some degree of bending, the electronics remain sturdier compared to softer components. Researchers tackled this issue by distributing the electronic elements within the structure to minimize their impact on agility and pliability.
A significant issue was shielding against unintended electrical disruptions from outside sources like adjacent devices or radio transmissions. Such interferences could impact the sensors and movement controls of the robotic systems. Magnetic fields could potentially interfere with electronic devices as they are used to navigate the robots.
To tackle this issue, the research group meticulously designed the electrical assembly to reduce magnetic interference and ensure stable sensor performance, even within intense field conditions. As stated by the team, they successfully resolved these challenges, enabling the remote control of soft robots using electromagnetic fields or compact magnets, thus minimizing human intervention.
Thanks to integrated sensors, the robots can independently respond to their environment. They can find survivors during disasters by maneuvering through rubble or sensing body heat. In medical applications, they can precisely administer medication or gather specimens by reacting to alterations in pH levels or pressure.
Future healthcare bots
The upcoming priority for the research group involves enhancing the technology for use in medicine, such as creating a "pill robot." This compact robotic device can be ingested and move within the digestive system to identify illnesses or administer medication precisely where needed.
The team claims that the robot pill, which is made to be precise and mobile, will provide a less intrusive option to conventional diagnostic techniques like biopsies. Additionally, it might collect data in real-time from inside the body, giving quicker and more precise health insights.
Researchers are striving to reduce the size of the system for secure and efficient application in biomedical environments. "With integrated sensors , these robots could measure pH levels, detect abnormalities and even deliver medication to precise locations inside the body. That means fewer invasive surgeries and more targeted treatments, improving patient outcomes,” said Cheng, in a statement .
The team also sees the technology being used in vascular therapies in the future. The robots might be put into blood vessels to treat cardiovascular conditions or provide medication directly to specific regions if they are further reduced in size. The strategy may open the door to completely new, non-invasive techniques for identifying and treating circulatory system disorders.