• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Electrical Engineering News and Products

Electronics Engineering Resources, Articles, Forums, Tear Down Videos and Technical Electronics How-To's

  • Products / Components
    • Analog ICs
    • Battery Power
    • Connectors
    • Microcontrollers
    • Power Electronics
    • Sensors
    • Test and Measurement
    • Wire / Cable
  • Applications
    • 5G
    • Automotive/Transportation
    • EV Engineering
    • Industrial
    • IoT
    • Medical
    • Telecommunications
    • Wearables
    • Wireless
  • Learn
    • eBooks / Handbooks
    • EE Training Days
    • Tutorials
    • Learning Center
    • Tech Toolboxes
    • Webinars & Digital Events
  • Resources
    • White Papers
    • Educational Assets
    • Design Guide Library
    • Digital Issues
    • Engineering Diversity & Inclusion
    • LEAP Awards
    • Podcasts
    • DesignFast
  • Videos
    • EE Videos and Interviews
    • Teardown Videos
  • EE Forums
    • EDABoard.com
    • Electro-Tech-Online.com
  • Bill’s Blogs
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe

Watch This Shapeshifting Robot Act Like A Mini-Transformer

September 27, 2017 By Jennifer DeLaOsa

Although a few engineers have created transformer-like creations, the designs suffer from inflexibility compared to their movie counterparts. To meet this challenge, a team from MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) has created Primer—a shapeshifting, cube-shaped robot.

Controlled via magnets, the machine can walk, roll, float, and glide. In order to complete these tasks, the device changes its exoskeleton. To begin, the outerwear starts as a sheet of plastic that folds into the desired “skin” when heat is applied. Once Primer is ready for a new look, it can dissolve its current exoskeleton by immersing itself in water.

Primer also can don multiple exoskeletons simultaneously. This creates a larger outer shell that can perform an increased range of tasks.

“If we want robots to help us do things, it’s not very efficient to have a different one for each task. With this metamorphosis-inspired approach, we can extend the capabilities of a single robot by giving it different ‘accessories’ to use in different situations,” says Daniela Rus, CSAIL director and principal investigator on the project.

According to the researchers, multiple industries could benefit from a versatile robotic system. This includes transporting materials across varying terrain, such as carrying equipment by stream and transitioning to a journey on land. In addition, since the heating process takes only a matter of seconds, this approach could lead to a quicker fabrication of future designs.

“Imagine future applications for space exploration, where you could send a single robot with a stack of exoskeletons to Mars,” says Shuguang Li, one of the co-authors of the study. “The robot could then perform different tasks by wearing different ‘outfits.’”

Next, the team aims to broaden Primer’s capabilities, including burrowing in sand and diving in water. To learn more, an article detailing CSAIL’s work can be found in the journal Science Robotic.

Watch the mini-transformer in action in the video below.

You Might Also Like

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Primary Sidebar

EE Engineering Training Days

engineering

Featured Contributions

Five challenges for developing next-generation ADAS and autonomous vehicles

Robust design for Variable Frequency Drives and starters

Meeting demand for hidden wearables via Schottky rectifiers

GaN reliability milestones break through the silicon ceiling

From extreme to mainstream: how industrial connectors are evolving to meet today’s harsh demands

More Featured Contributions

EE Tech Toolbox

“ee
Tech Toolbox: 5G Technology
This Tech Toolbox covers the basics of 5G technology plus a story about how engineers designed and built a prototype DSL router mostly from old cellphone parts. Download this first 5G/wired/wireless communications Tech Toolbox to learn more!

EE Learning Center

EE Learning Center
“ee
EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND STAY CONNECTED
Get the latest info on technologies, tools and strategies for EE professionals.
“bills
contribute

R&D World Podcasts

R&D 100 Episode 10
See More >

Sponsored Content

Advanced Embedded Systems Debug with Jitter and Real-Time Eye Analysis

Connectors Enabling the Evolution of AR/VR/MR Devices

Award-Winning Thermal Management for 5G Designs

Making Rugged and Reliable Connections

Omron’s systematic approach to a better PCB connector

Looking for an Excellent Resource on RF & Microwave Power Measurements? Read This eBook

More Sponsored Content >>

RSS Current EDABoard.com discussions

  • 'HERIC' pairs of IGBTs essential for Mains inverters
  • How to start a startup in VLSI
  • UART Basic Before Writing Code
  • Single ended measuring ports and balanced antenna
  • Thermal modelling of repetitive power pulse

RSS Current Electro-Tech-Online.com Discussions

  • Fun with AI and swordfish basic
  • Simple LED Analog Clock Idea
  • Microinverters and storeage batteries?
  • PIC KIT 3 not able to program dsPIC
  • Is AI making embedded software developers more productive?
Search Millions of Parts from Thousands of Suppliers.

Search Now!
design fast globle

Footer

EE World Online

EE WORLD ONLINE NETWORK

  • 5G Technology World
  • Analog IC Tips
  • Battery Power Tips
  • Connector Tips
  • DesignFast
  • EDABoard Forums
  • Electro-Tech-Online Forums
  • Engineer's Garage
  • EV Engineering
  • Microcontroller Tips
  • Power Electronic Tips
  • Sensor Tips
  • Test and Measurement Tips

EE WORLD ONLINE

  • Subscribe to our newsletter
  • Teardown Videos
  • Advertise with us
  • Contact us
  • About Us

Copyright © 2025 · WTWH Media LLC and its licensors. All rights reserved.
The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media.

Privacy Policy