NYU Researchers Unveil WorMa: A Versatile Worm-like Robot for Rugged Terrain Navigation

Published
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RobotToday Industry Briefing

Researchers at New York University have introduced WorMa, a worm-like robot capable of navigating challenging coastal terrains. This innovative robot can traverse rocks, slopes, and water by shifting its weight, utilizing water as a movable ballast to adapt its movement without needing mechanical reconfiguration.

WorMa's design is significant as it addresses the limitations of traditional wheeled or legged robots in rugged environments. By redistributing its mass, the robot enhances traction on inclines and improves swimming efficiency, achieving a 26% increase in speed and a 52% boost in operational efficiency in water compared to other configurations.

Looking ahead, the versatility of WorMa could be pivotal for applications in environmental monitoring and infrastructure inspection, where it may need to navigate diverse terrains within a single mission. No further timeline was disclosed at the time of publication.

Original report

Video: Worm-like robot shifts its own weight to crawl over rocks, climb steps and swim

InterestingEngineering.com · Jijo Malayil
Read at InterestingEngineering.com

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