NASA's Squishy Space Explorers: The Soft Robot Revolution

company logo for NASA’s Langley Research Center NASA’s Langley Research Center

Country: United States of America

Year: 2019

Summary

Built to Squeeze, Built to Last – With their flexible, inflatable design, NASA’s soft robots are stretching the future of space exploration.

Status: Prototype, In development, Research

Operation: Other

Robot Type / Domain: Research

Tasks: Space Exploration, Navigating Rough Terrain, Squeezing Through Tight Spaces

Last updated: October 06, 2024
Written & Reviewed by addoobot team.
Authored by Dr. Mahdi Hassan, a robotics enthusiast with extensive experience and a PhD in robotics and engineering combined. Connect with me on LinkedIn.
FREE  but selective

Learn More

Stretching the Limits: Why Soft Robots?

Inspired by nature’s most adaptable creatures, these robots, developed at NASA’s Langley Research Center, are made from stretchy materials that can bend and reshape themselves with ease. Unlike traditional robots made of stiff metal, these guys are built with silicone, allowing them to move in ways metal robots just can’t.

So what’s the big deal? Well, in space, things are unpredictable. Soft robots can squeeze into tight spots, crawl over rough terrain, and adapt to all kinds of environments. Their flexible design makes them ideal for handling tasks that bulky, rigid robots struggle with. Whether it’s exploring narrow cracks on Mars or helping set up temporary habitats, these robots are built to handle it​.

3D Printing the Future

Thanks to NASA interns Chuck Sullivan and Jack Fitzpatrick, along with a talented team at NASA Langley, soft robots are getting a high-tech boost. These researchers are using 3D printing to make soft robot actuators—basically the robot’s “muscles.” By printing molds from flexible silicone, they’ve created actuators that work by inflating and deflating air chambers, which lets the robots flex and move much like human muscles.

What’s really cool is that this method doesn’t just make these robots super flexible—it also makes them more compact and lightweight. And in space, where every bit of weight counts, that’s a huge advantage. These robots can be packed small and light, ready for action when they reach their destination.​

The Cosmic Potential: Soft Robots in Space

NASA has plans for these flexible robots, especially for missions to the Moon or Mars. Picture this: soft robots squeezing into tight spaces or helping astronauts by building structures like temporary habitats or dust shields. Thanks to their unique flexibility, they can take on tasks that traditional robots would struggle with.

The team at NASA Langley is focusing on four key areas: mobility, joining, leveling, and shaping. This means these robots could move across rough terrain, link up to form larger structures, or even adjust surfaces by filling in gaps, like helping to make a lunar base smoother and more stable. It’s a whole new way to tackle the challenges of space exploration!

From Concept to Space: What's Next?

Soft robots are still in the experimental phase, but their future looks incredibly promising. Their flexibility, lightweight design, and adaptability make them perfect for handling the unpredictable conditions of space. Chuck Sullivan and Jack Fitzpatrick, along with their team at NASA, have laid the groundwork by refining these soft robot actuators. Their efforts are paving the way for future space missions where these robots could build bases, perform repairs, or even explore alien environments.

This early-stage research is setting the stage for bigger advancements down the line. These soft robots could be key players in space exploration, making the impossible a little more achievable.​

Challenges of Soft Robots: What’s Holding Them Back?

Even with all their flexibility, soft robots have a few challenges to overcome. While great for bending and moving, their silicone material is pretty delicate. Sharp surfaces or extreme temperatures could easily damage them, which is a big concern in space’s harsh conditions. Plus, controlling their movements is no simple task. These robots rely on fluid-driven systems that require careful coordination of pressure, and that’s tricky to manage with limited resources on a space mission​.

Another challenge? Soft robots just don’t have the strength of their metal counterparts. While they’re fantastic at adapting to different environments, they can’t lift heavy loads or handle the strong forces needed for tasks like building structures or moving large equipment. Despite these hurdles, researchers are optimistic that with further development, soft robots could become an essential part of space exploration​.

The Future of Exploration

NASA’s research into soft robotics is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in space exploration. These robots are adaptable and resilient, making them a perfect fit for missions where traditional robots just don’t cut it. Whether navigating rough terrain, building structures, or even performing repairs, soft robots offer flexibility that rigid robots can’t match. While still in development, the potential of these robots to transform the way we explore the cosmos is massive, and their role in future missions is likely to be essential

DO NOT COPY

Do Not Copy

Top 5+ Qualities (by addoobot)

What we find to be the top qualities of NASA’s soft robots:

  • Flexibility: Soft robots are made from flexible materials like silicone, allowing them to bend, stretch, and deform to adapt to their environment, much like living organisms.
  • Lightweight: Their soft, inflatable designs reduce overall weight, making them ideal for space missions where payload mass is critical.
  • Compact for Transport: These robots can be deflated or collapsed, occupying less space during transport and then expanded when needed.
  • Adaptive Movement: The robots can move across rough and uneven surfaces, which is ideal for exploring challenging environments like the Moon or Mars.
  • Multifunctionality: Soft robots can be used for various tasks such as assembling structures, manipulating unknown objects, and exploring tight or dangerous spaces.
  • Safe for Human Interaction: Due to their soft materials, they are intrinsically safer to work alongside humans, reducing the risk of injury during collisions.

Technical Specifications

• Soft, inflatable design to reduce weight

• Can be deflated or collapsed

Actuation: Pneumatic

Body Material: Flexible materials like silicone

No more specs to show.

Please visit the official website for more accurate, up-to-date, and complete information on this post. Visit Website   External Link Icon

Disclaimer: For informational purposes only. The provided data and/or content are intended as references and may contain errors. We appreciate your help in maintaining accuracy; if you spot any errors, please notify us. For the most reliable and up-to-date information, kindly refer to the official website. By using addoobot and its contents and services, you agree to our Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Cookie Policy.

Thumbs Down Icon Thumbs Up Icon
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Select appealing qualities


You may also be interested in

Close Icon   Research Robots Go Back Icon   View All

 0 Comments

Sign in to comment, reply, and more

No Comments Yet

Be the first to share your thoughts!