Researchers from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and Dresden University of Technology have engineered a novel robotic material capable of transforming into virtually any shape while supporting loads several times its own weight. Inspired by the dynamic behaviors of embryonic tissues—where cells adjust their mechanical properties through coordinated actions—the team mimicked these natural processes using elements like gears, photoreceptors, and rolling magnets.
Mimicking Cellular Behavior in Robotics
The breakthrough lies in a network of small robotic units that operate as one cohesive, adaptive structure. By precisely controlling forces and polarity between these units, the material can transition between rigid and fluid states. This dynamic behavior mirrors the way embryonic cells reshape, rearrange, and even repair themselves during early development.
Overcoming Previous Limitations
Earlier concepts, sometimes known as “claytronics” or “programmable matter,” either allowed shape change without the ability to bear significant weight or supported loads only by sacrificing structural unity during reconfiguration. The researchers drew on natural cellular processes—specifically tissue fluidization, where tissues become more fluid-like, and convergent elongation, where cells extend in a polarized manner—to design a system that manages local rearrangements across the entire material.
How the System Works
Each unit in the robotic material is equipped with controls for polarity, force, and adhesion, enabling it to emulate the behavior of living cells that stick together, exert pressure, and reposition within a group. The design features eight partially exposed gears to facilitate rapid reconfiguration through mutual pushing. Additionally, photoreceptors enable the units to respond to light signals, and strategically placed magnets ensure strong adhesion.
Modeling and Testing the Adaptive Structure
A mathematical model was developed to simulate the collective behavior of the robotic units, guiding the team in determining the optimal forces and polarities required for smooth transitions between fluid and solid states. Experiments with small-scale prototypes, including a three-block unit, revealed that power fluctuations could enhance the material’s load-bearing and rearrangement capabilities beyond its standard performance.
Demonstrated Resilience and Versatility
After more than 200 hours of rigorous testing, the system demonstrated remarkable robustness, functioning normally even when nearly 28% of its motors were disabled. In one demonstration, the units transformed from separate pillars into a stable, load-bearing arch. In another, they self-healed structural imperfections and applied sufficient force to move objects. The material even showed potential at larger scales, successfully forming a configuration roughly the size of a human before reverting back to a fluid state.
This innovative development represents a significant step forward in adaptive robotics, with potential applications ranging from dynamic load-bearing structures to versatile tools capable of changing shape on demand.
