Recent research at Cornell University has advanced soft robotics by drawing inspiration from aquatic life, notably in the development of a modular worm robot and jellyfish. These designs are based on the concept of 'embodied energy,' integrating power sources into the robots' bodies to minimize weight and cost. Their energy storage is akin to the 'robot blood' concept introduced in a previous lionfish robot. The innovations include a compartmentalized design in the worm robot, allowing for improved mobility and efficiency by using hydraulic fluid both as a battery and movement mechanism.
"The jellyfish has much more capacity for its weight, so the duration it can travel is even longer than the fish," said Rob Shepherd, professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, who led both projects.
"There are a lot of robots that are powered hydraulically, and we're the first to use hydraulic fluid as the battery, which reduces the overall weight of the robot..." said Rob Shepherd.
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