A miniature water strider robot
Goal:
To develop a microrobot that takes advantage of the surface tension of water to stay and maneuver on water with power efficiency and agility.
Approach:
To understand the physics of water striders to model their characteristics of floating on the surface of water. We are using micro-actuators and DC Motors to simulate water strider movements. We are also investigating different materials and leg shapes to improve the ability of the robot to float on water and maneuver.
Benefits:
Water strider robots will be small and relatively efficient. Because it is on the surface of water and light, the robot will be highly agile and can reach inaccessible areas for many different applications.
Videos: (newest to oldest)
Video 1: Water Strider Robot with Footpads
Video 2: Water Strider Robot with Wire Legs
Video 3: Water strider robot moving across the surface
Media Appearances:
Associated Press Article featured in: Forbes.com,
Yahoo News,
and Wired.
In Turkish - MSNBC, e-kolay,
sabah.com, Milliyet.com.
Members:
Onur Ozcan,
Kenan Isik,
Metin Sitti
Past Members:
Yun Seong Song,
Franklin Chung,
Justine Rembisz
Papers:
[The prototype of the 3rd generation water strider robots. 'A' is the main chasis of the robot that carries the on board power source, electronics and the actuators. 'B' are the supporting footpad structure of the robot. 'C' are the actuation mechanism of the robots that consists of rowing legs, DC motors and four-bar mechanisms to generate elliptical motion. ]




