New Robot, Appearance Like An Earthworm

[ritu 1]

There is a new robot on the block, it is known as Meshworm, the last half of the name has the word "worm" in it, because this word signifies the appearance and movement of the robot which is quite similar to that of an earthworm ,yet it happens to be much stronger in resistance than its living counterpart.

It clearly seems that the structure of the earthworm has been studied quite carefully while creating this robot, the body, its shape, the way it moves. The researchers from MIT observed that the body of the earthworm mainly uses two major groups of muscles, one which is in circular shape and wraps around the body and lets it crawl forward and the other that is is one that runs across the body and helps it move sideways towards the left and right. The tubular structure of the body have been beautifully replicated and given to the "Meshworm"

It was created by the use of polymer mesh and the muscles have been developed by the use of nickel-titanium alloy. The durability factor is also taken well taken into account and even if harsh treatment is given to the robot, it is able to bear that. For the movement in the robot to be generated, the circuit board and a battery set up, so that the heat is generated and the robot starts to move. The fibrous soft structure also has been given to the robot and it maintains the flexibility of the earthworm.

With this robotic invention, technology has proved to display another amazing product. We can cross our fingers and and wait for more amazement to follow.

Source

[sheepdog 10]

Ok, but what is it good for? Seriously? Real earth worms are only good for a couple things. Airiating our soil to improve the ability of plants to grow is their most important job, and then also, the production of humus, (earth worm poop) that increases the fertility of the soil. And when they die their bodies also ad vitality to the soil. It's a safe bet a dead metal bug is not going to increase soil fertility. Might even be considered toxic to the soil. And the next most important thing is for fish bait. I'm betting fish are not going to be impressed with a metal bug for lunch. Not to mention the fact that anything electronic would probably short out the first second it hit the water. I'm thinking all that brain power that went into the creation of a fake worm would be better spent on more useful projects with more lofty goals than this one.

[ritu 1]

Probably the effort was taken to show how the structure or the gait of even a earthworm was observed and how with the help of technology that could be successfully replicated. It has to be taken more to be a piece of art, produced by technology than to be some object of real use. Talking about the amount of time and money spent on this project, though it won't be bringing any destructive effects, it won't be that constructive either, and I am totally for the fact that the time and money could be diverted towards other great tasks.