MIT's Robot Earthworm Called 'Meshworm' Uses Artificial Muscles To Move Forward

Taking inspiration from nature once again, Researchers from MIT, Harvard University and Seoul National University with support from DARPA have come up with a robot called 'Meshworm' created entirely from soft materials into a meshlike tube that does the classic muscle-squeeze and stretch to navigate autonomously. This earthworm-like robot can move around with each wave of contractions of these artificial muscles - we see this kind of action in snails and sea cucumbers too. Ideal for moving across small-width pipers or rough terrains or, this robot can withstand even hammer attack. No, seriously!

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To test the durability of their creation, the mechatronics engineers tried stepping on the moving Meshworm and even hitting it with a hammer. But much to their surprise, the robot kept moving without a jerk and passed the test with flying colors. This durability is a result of the internal muscle structure of its robotic body made up of nickel and titanium wires, which are segmented at some intervals. Small electric currents are made to pass through these wires and mesh tube, which make the robot propel forward. See for yourself in the video from MIT -

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