Scientists have developed a case of mobile phone with robotic legs, capable of walking alone to a wireless charger.
The accessory produced by the researchers of the Biorobotics Laboratory of the National University de Seoul, in South Korea, was called CaseCrawler (caterpillar cover).
The legs are attached to the back of a case and provide the smartphone with the ability to move itself towards a power source to replenish the battery.
The robot support
La CaseCrawler legs technology It is similar to that of human legs. In total, six small articulated metal structures 1,5 mm thick support the smartphone and exert a force on the ground, allowing locomotion.
These joints are connected to the motor through gears and bend to one side only. This to provide 13 times the load capacity of its own weight.
Features
As for the other specifications of the product, the cover is only 16 mm thick and has a total weight of 22,7 grams.
The idea is (if mass production of this device is approved) an optimal design that will become even smaller, to facilitate its transportation. Currently, the CaseCrawler has a small battery on its bottom that can be removed in the future, for example.
El robot It has no intelligence or driving ability, it simply moves in one direction. However, the small articulated legs are capable of deflecting small obstacles in the way. Furthermore, the smartphone loaded with CaseCrawler You will be able to use your sensors to find the correct direction to the charger.
Future research plans include using the same system to provide mobility to other objects. The product is also expected to be able to gather data and return it to the owner when requested.
The device is still in the testing phase and is not expected to reach the public. However, experts believe that the technology used in the prototype is cheap enough to be mass produced in the future.
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