RoBoa: Up to 100 m long robot snake for disasters and inspections
The robot snake RoBoa from ETH Zurich is designed to save human lives. It is pursuing an unusual locomotion concept.
(Image: ETH ZĂĽrich (Screenshot))
RoBoa, a spin-off of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETH Zurich), intends to launch the robotic snake of the same name for use in disaster areas and industrial inspections soon. RoBoa currently has a length of 20 meters, but can be extended up to 100 meters. Thanks to its adaptability, the soft robotic snake can squeeze through narrow gaps to help trapped people with its camera, communication system, food, water and medicine.
RoBoa has a soft fabric tube as its body. It is propelled by compressed air by continuously turning a flexible tube inside out. This results in forward movement on various surfaces. It does not matter whether the surface is dry, wet, sticky or dirty. The robot snake can move on almost any surface.
Locomotion through compressed air
According to the researchers, its body, which is currently 20 meters long in the prototype, can be extended to around 100 meters. Up to this length, locomotion is guaranteed by the inverted mechanism. Movement by means of compressed air also avoids the possibility of flying sparks, so that explosions are ruled out in the event of a mining accident, for example.
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The diameter of the body can be adjusted so that the robot can wriggle through narrow gaps of between 5 and 10 cm. The soft body also has the advantage that RoBoa cannot accidentally injure people.
An operator controls the robot in all directions. A communication system is located in the head so that the robot is able to transmit conversations between buried people and the team controlling it remotely. A supply line is housed in the body. This can be used to deliver food, water or medication to trapped people.
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Sensors on board also collect environmental data that can be transmitted in real time. This makes RoBoa not only suitable for rescue missions in disaster areas, but can also be used to inspect tanks, sewers and pipes. The robot's camera system is used for visual inspection.
The researchers at ETH Zurich developed the robotic snake together with Swiss rescue teams in order to be able to penetrate hard-to-reach areas more easily. This is not always possible with robots that use traditional means of locomotion, such as wheels. RoBoa is to be presented by co-founders of RoBoa at ETH Industry Day 2024 on November 21.
(olb)
