Swiss researchers have
built a cube-shaped robot that can walk around and balance itself on
one of its edges or corners.
The bot, named "Cubli", contains three
internal wheels that spin faster or slower to give it the momentum to remain
balanced, even if the surface it sits on becomes tilted. They can also be
abruptly halted to give the cube the oomph to jump up to a balanced position
from flat on the surface.
The principles are similar to those used in
satellites to stabilise them in orbit, so they don't end up spinning around
uselessly. It's thought the technique could also be used to build robots that
are able to explore other planets, or self-assemble.
The researchers, from ETZ Zurich's Institute for
Dynamic Systems and Control, say: "But for us it's just a cool little cube
that can jump up, balance, and walk."
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