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Italian Scientists Develop a N...Scientists from Italy have developed a soft robot which has the capability to curl and move like a plant tendril. The new advanced robot could transform the world of the wearable device.
The research work was carried out by the membersof an Italian university called Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT). The scientists were encouraged by the plant and their movement which motivated them to develop the new robot.
The robot was created with a flexible PET tube filled with liquids based on ions. With the help of a 1.3-volt battery, the ions were attracted and immobilized to the surface of flexible electrodes.The movement of the liquid was caused due to the movement inside the tendril.
According to the researchers, to go back, it is enough to disconnect the electric wires from the battery and join them. For the first time, the new soft robot demonstrated the possibility of exploiting osmosis to activate reversible movements.
The soft robot was given the shape of a tiny tendril where the researchers achieved the techniques to perform reversible movements as real plants do. It was replicated with an artificial tendril. The robot was successful in showcasing its movements as plants do.
The future applications of the soft robot will help the wearable technology to develop many applications including flexible robotic arms for exploration.
The scientists were successful to develop the robot with a common battery and flexible fabrics because the robot adapted itself with the surrounding environment and carrying out communication with objects or living beings.