PREVIEW

Scientists Create Non-Electronic 3D-Printed Robot. Scientists in the United States have developed a walking robot that requires no electronics and can be produced entirely from a 3D printer. The robot, built by the Bioinspired Robotics Laboratory at the University of California, San Diego, uses only a cartridge of compressed gas to function. To construct the robot, the team utilised basic and readily available technology—a standard desktop 3D printer and an off-the-shelf printing material. This method is not only simple and robust but also cost-effective, with each unit costing around $20 to produce. “This is a completely different way of looking at building machines,” said Michael Tolley, a professor in the UC San Diego Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. Due to its lack of electronic components, the robot could be deployed in environments where traditional robots might struggle. Potential uses include scientific research in radiation-heavy areas, disaster response, and even space exploration. Laboratory tests demonstrated that the robot could function continuously for up to three days, provided it remained connected to an air or gas source under constant pressure. Further experiments showed that the robot could walk outdoors using a compressed gas cartridge, successfully traversing different surfaces, including grass, sand, and even underwater.