Researchers at the Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM) in South Korea recently introduced an innovative concept: a “stiffness-variable wheel” that adapts to surface obstacles to navigate them effectively. The study’s findings were published in the journal Science Robotics in August.
The team behind this unique variant of traditional wheels demonstrated its functionality in a wheelchair that successfully overcame various obstacles, including curbs, potholes, and even stairs.
The potential applications for the stiffness-variable wheel are vast. According to researchers, it could be used for robotic vehicles that deliver groceries with greater autonomy, as well as military robots tasked with reaching specific objectives while avoiding obstacles.
While non-pneumatic or airless tires offer some flexibility, their ability to navigate obstacles is limited. In contrast, the KIMM wheel is equipped with a series of sensors that respond to the terrain.
In a demonstration to Reuters, a modified wheelchair with “morphing” wheels managed to climb stairs with 7-inch steps. The team placed a life-size dummy on the chair to simulate its performance under load. Researchers at KIMM also tested another device mounted on the wheel that achieved speeds of up to 19 mph.
Additionally, the South Korean wheel can overcome obstacles that are 1.3 times higher than the radius of its wheels. In this regard, project leader Sung-Hyuk Song said that a vehicle or robot equipped with these wheels “is capable of overcoming obstacles while at the same time maintaining high movement efficiency comparable to conventional wheels.”
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