Development of a self-adapting robot
Researchers from the University of Tartu in Estonia, in collaboration with the Italian Institute of Technology, have developed a butterfly-shaped robot equipped with an artificial circulatory system capable of transporting chemicals throughout its body. This innovation aims to enhance the ability of robotic devices to adapt to complex and unpredictable environments by enabling the growth of self-developing optical sensors in areas exposed to ultraviolet radiation.
Mechanism of operation and technology used
The tech website TechCrunch reported on Friday that the technology combines an open circulatory system with the pumping of chemical fluids and their reaction to light, aiming to provide greater flexibility and autonomy to the robot's body without relying entirely on central control. According to information published in the scientific journal "Advanced Science" on October 23, the robot relies on microscopic veins and compressed microchannels inside its body, which is manufactured using 3D printing.
Physical memory and future applications
It added that a chemical mixture is pumped in, which reacts immediately upon exposure to ultraviolet radiation to transform into an electrically conductive polymer that functions as a smart sensor. This allows the robot to create new parts and biological receptors at the specific location and time needed. Laboratory experiments demonstrated a unique ability of the growing sensors to retain a form of "physical memory," as their sensitivity increases and their structure evolves with each additional exposure to radiation, while continuing to operate efficiently for more than four months after storage.
Towards biological systems
It pointed out that the technology aims to provide a means for operating robots in areas that cannot be mapped in advance and to help monitor environmental changes, particularly in hazardous environments such as the depths of the seas and collapsed buildings. This technology reflects a trend towards developing physical vascular biological systems close to natural biological systems, providing robots with continuous ability to mimic living organisms, thereby contributing to improved self-response and enhanced capacity to face complex challenges in natural habitats.
Source: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)
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