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The Computing and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is a hub of activity for solutions to change the way people approach design and engineering,
In 3D printing, the lab’s previous projects include fabricating an intelligent sensing skin for robots, developing 3D materials ‘Photoshop’ and a voxel-based platform for multi-material design.
Merging 3D printing with origami, the latest research published by CSAIL demonstrates a democratic method of making mobile robots called Interactive Robogami.
Robogami conquers it all
In Interactive Robogami, robots are made using a pre-installed parts library: body, device, leg and / or wheel.
The main shapes of each of the four categories are formed based on the principle of creating a solid shape from a flat net.
One of the challenges in creating a simple walking robot manufacturing system is that gait is determined by the geometry of a robot. To remedy this, researchers from CSAIL are also installing a walking simulation viewer in the program.
By harnessing this basic knowledge and adding simulation, the program conquers the complexity of robot design that has remained relatively untouched by existing computer research and rapid manufacturing.
Challenge accepted: design a car and cover an obstacle course
To prove the effectiveness of the Interactive Robogami program, CSAIL researchers conducted a user study with eight students with no previous experience in robot design.
The test group consisted of eight engineering graduate students: three women and five men aged 22 to 31. After 20 minutes of explanation, users were challenged to complete two design tasks.
In the first case, participants had 10 minutes to create a car and created a plethora of unique designs each using multiple components from the shape database.
In the second challenge, participants were tested for their ability to adjust gait design by running a robot through a predetermined obstacle course.
Check out the latest 3D printing events here.
Featured image: robogami CSAIL design gallery. Image via The International Journal of Robotics Research
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