Cockroaches are probably the tiniest yet the most feared animal by humans, but believe it or not, these icky creatures inspired scientists to create robots that can help in rescue operations during disasters.
The discovery has enabled experts to create robots that can swiftly squeeze itself inside cracks and pits. Such technology may come in handy during disasters that cause rubble or rough fragments to scatter all over.
"In the event of an earthquake, first responders need to know if an area of rubble is stable and safe, but the challenge is, most robots can't get into rubble," says co-author Robert Full from the University of California, Berkeley.
Such situation may leave survivors undetected. Full says people can just throw their roach robots in areas of cracks and vents to locate survivors and aid first responders.
Flexible And Speedy Roaches
Lead author Kaushik Jayaram discovered that cockroaches that pass through crevices can endure forces that are 900 times higher than its body weight. Aside from that, the insects can squeeze and enter in crevices that are one-tenth of an inch. Also, cockroaches can run very swiftly despite being flattened by half once inside.
Roach Robots
The researchers took inspiration from the remarkable capabilities of the cockroaches. Jayaram developed a palm-sized robot that can spread its legs outward when squeezed. He also finished it with a plastic shield that resembles the tough yet smooth wings of the cockroach.
The resulting product is called Compressible Robot with Articulated Mechanisms (CRAM).
Jayaram says the striking thing about cockroaches is that it can run so fast whether there is a quarter-inch or half-inch gap. He adds that the CRAM is approximately half an inch tall when it runs freely, but can squeeze itself to a height of two pennies.
Full adds that although CRAM is still a prototype, it gives an insight into how feasible of an inspiration animals with exoskeletons are in designing soft robots.
The next step for the research team is to analyze the other body parts of the cockroaches and determine its roles in the movement of the insects.
The study was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences on Feb. 8.
