M-Blocks: Modular Angular-Momentum Driven Magnetically Connected Robots

A modular robotic system that includes a plurality of self-configuring robots. Each self-configuring robot includes a frame structure having a plurality of cylindrical bonding magnets positioned along the edges of the frame structure. The frame structure includes magnetic, non-gendered, hinges on any of the edges of the frame. The hinges provide enough force to maintain a pivot axis through various motions. The cylindrical bonding magnets are free to rotate allowing for multiple self-configurations with other like self-configuring robots. A movement generator is positioned within the frame structure that pivots to generate multi-axis movement allowing both robust self-reconfiguration with the other self-configuring robots and independent locomotion.

Researchers

Daniela Rus / John Romanishin / Kyle Gilpin

Departments: Dept of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science
Technology Areas: Industrial Engineering & Automation: Autonomous Systems, Robotics
Impact Areas: Advanced Materials

  • modular angular-momentum driven magnetically connected robots
    United States of America | Granted | 10,857,669
  • modular angular-momentum driven magnetically connected robots
    United States of America | Granted | 10,857,670

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