As if he were Spider-Man, the small four-legged robot MARVEL is able to climb iron walls and ceilings without any difficulty. His magnetic feet allow him to navigate obstacles and be more agile and faster than any similar robotic development to date.
The innovation is the result of an international collaboration between researchers from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology and the University of Illinois (USA) and is published in the journal robotic science🇧🇷
“MARVEL can move nimbly not only on flat terrain, but also on vertical walls and ceilings made of ferromagnetic materials. In addition, it has the ability to perform precise maneuvers such as crossing gaps, overcoming obstacles and making airplane transitions in turns,” said Seungwoo Hong, lead author of the study and a researcher at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, SINC.
Oddities of a robot with a comic name
Until now, climbing robots were characterized by very limited locomotion capabilities, which made them operational only at low speeds. In contrast, MARVEL (Magnetic Adhesive Robot for Versatile and Fast Locomotion) is capable of traversing ferromagnetic walls and ceilings at speeds of up to 0.7 m/s and 0.5 m/s, respectively. This far exceeds previous climbing robots in terms of rate of climb and ability to execute movements. Plus, you don’t need strings either.
MARVEL can move nimbly not only on flat terrain, but also on vertical walls and ceilings made of ferromagnetic materials.
Seungwoo Hong
During experiments, MARVEL demonstrated complex behaviors. It can climb gaps 10 cm wide, overcome obstacles 5 cm high and transition between floors, walls and ceilings. The robot can also carry weights of up to 3kg and has the ability to climb curved surfaces such as a storage tank covered in paint, rust and dust.
How it works?
MARVEL’s main innovations are several. The robot has magnetic adhesion feet, which combine an electropermanent magnet (EPM) and a magnetorheological elastomer (MRE) to generate high retention forces. The EPM is a two-state device that can change its magnetic property through electric current, but – unlike electromagnets – it does not need electricity to maintain a magnetic state and therefore reduces energy consumption. In turn, the MRE is an elastomer with magnetic components that allows greater adhesion to the metal in the same given inclination. Thanks to this system, the robot climbs without ties and its feet take advantage of the interchangeable magnets to separate and hold the surfaces.
MARVEL also equips batteries, adjustable torque actuators, a computer and a controller with which the robot calculates optimal ground reaction forces. In this way, dynamic locomotion on walls and ceilings is made possible and sliding or detachment of surfaces is avoided.
To allow the robot to move on irregularly shaped surfaces, we are working on the design of multiple miniaturized electropermanent magnets, embedded in magnetorheological elastomer pads to increase the effective contact area.
Seungwoo Hong
Researchers are already working on the following versions of the device. “The robot can move on smooth surfaces with moderate curvature. To enable the robot to move on unevenly shaped surfaces, we are working on designing multiple miniaturized EPMs embedded in MRE pads to increase the effective contact area and provide strong adhesion,” said Hong.
Possible robot applications
Many industrial operations, such as inspecting storage tanks, bridges or welding in shipyards, are performed in ferromagnetic environments that contain voids, ledges, corners, walls and ceilings. In many cases, these are environments that are difficult to access and involve tasks at high altitudes or in confined spaces.
We hope it can be used to avoid risk
Seungwoo Hong
The study authors are clear about MARVEL’s potential for real use. “Its ability to move quickly and precisely allows it to expand the robot’s operational workspace and approach places that are difficult or dangerous for humans. We hope it can be used to avoid risks”, says the Korean engineer.
At the moment, the researchers are not in talks to commercialize the innovation.
Reference:
Hong, Seungwoo; Um, Yong; and others Agile and versatile climbing on ferromagnetic surfaces with a quadruped robot. robotic science (2022)
