3D Printed Robot — Researchers Introduced an App!
It’s hard to say when humans first started thinking about creating ingenious mechanisms controlled by people and performing specific tasks. Ideas about androids appear in many works of 20th-century science fiction writers, while the first attempts to make such devices date back to ancient times. As innovative technologies advanced, the gradual replacement of outdated methods with more modern robotic devices began, and now robots are no longer something unusual.
3D Printed Robots!
Most likely, everyone at least once had their own ideas about creating such mechanisms. Good news — thanks to a team of researchers from Zurich, this will soon become possible. Vittorio Megaro, a student at ETH Zurich, together with developers from Disney Research Zurich and Carnegie Mellon University, created software that allows anyone to design their own robots, plan their movements, and bring the results to life using a 3D printer.
3D Printed Robot!
So, what functions will the app perform?
The 3D Printed Robot App handles all the physics behind building a robot, making the process much simpler and accessible even to people without professional expertise. The app uses 3D modeling and numerical optimization methods to ensure the robot can move freely, giving users the ability to focus entirely on designing its shape. This feature was the biggest challenge for developers, who compare it to methods used in digital animation.
3D Printed Robot!
Users begin building their robots by designing a basic skeleton, then choosing the number of limbs and segments. If you want to change the structure during the design process, it’s easy to do. The robot can be programmed with simple commands like “walk forward” and “turn left.” All complex instructions are simplified by the program, while the robot’s ability to move stably is strictly monitored. Once the project is finished, it can be brought to life using 3D printing technology. The app also includes information on widely available motors, so all that’s left for the user is to choose a suitable 3D model for their robot.
3D Printed Robot!
For now, creating your own robots is still a rather expensive process. The first prototypes made with the app were relatively cheap but at the expense of structural strength. The robots were very simple: while they can walk, they cannot be remote-controlled or overcome obstacles. Still, it’s an impressive achievement.
3D Printed Robot!
This app is the first part of software designed to let users build controllable mechanisms on their own. Unfortunately, we shouldn’t expect a mass invasion of 3D-printed user robots any time soon. The program won’t be commercially available yet. However, as practice shows, this barrier can be overcome, and in time anyone will be able to unleash their imagination in robotics.
3D Printed Robot!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xauEexkgYWY
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