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With magnetic adhesion technology on its four legs, the Marvel robot is capable of crawling up tall buildings at speeds of 0.5 to 0.7 meters per second. Photos/Blazetrends
This robot is given the unique name Marvel, which stands for Magnetically Adhesive Robot for Versatile and Expeditious Locomotion. Literally defined as a magnetic adhesive robot for versatile and fast actuation.
Like Spider-Man, Marvel’s diminutive four-legged robot is able to climb metal walls and ceilings with ease. His magnetic legs allow Marvel to overcome obstacles and be more agile and faster than similar robots.
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This innovation is the result of international collaboration between researchers from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) and the University of Illinois (USA). The capabilities of this Marvel robot have been published in the robotic science magazine.
KAIST claims Marvel robots are capable of climbing steel walls and crawling across metal ceilings at the fastest speeds the world has ever seen. The Marvel robot can turn the magnetic force on his legs on and off, so he can attach or detach as needed.
“Marvel’s robot can move easily, not only on flat ground, but also on vertical walls and ceilings made of ferromagnetic materials. Marvel has the ability to perform precise maneuvers such as crossing gaps, overcoming obstacles and switching aircraft in turns,” said Seungwoo Hong, a researcher at KAIST quoted by SINDOnews’ Blazetrends page on Wednesday (01/04/2023).
During the experiments, the Marvel robot demonstrated complex behaviors, such as climbing a 10 cm drop, overcoming a 5 cm high obstacle and moving between floors, walls and ceilings. The Marvel robot can carry up to 3 kg in weight and has the ability to climb curved surfaces such as storage tanks covered in paint, rust and dust.
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The Marvel robot has magnetically bonded legs, which combine electro-permanent magnets (EPM) and magnetorheological elastomers (MRE) to provide high retention forces. An EPM is a two-state device that can change its magnetic properties via an electric current, but unlike an electromagnet it does not need electricity.
In turn, MRE is an elastomer with a magnetic component that allows for greater adhesion to metals at the same slope. Thanks to this system, the robot climbs without connecting cables because its legs and feet use interchangeable magnets with metal surfaces.
Marvel robots are capable of passing through ferromagnetic walls and ceilings at speeds of 0.5 to 0.7 meters per second, respectively. This speed far surpasses previous climbing robots in terms of climbing speed and ability to perform movements. Also, no strings are needed.
Marvel robots can be applied to various industrial operations, such as inspection of storage tanks, bridges or welds in shipyards. These industrial environments are typically difficult to access and involve working at height or in confined spaces due to voids, overhangs, corners, walls and ceilings.
(wib)
