U.S. scientists have developed a mobile robot that balances and moves on a ball instead of wheels or legs. The Carnegie Mellon University researchers say "Ballbot" is a self-contained, battery-operated, omni-directional robot that balances on a single urethane-coated metal sphere. It weighs 95 pounds and is the approximate height and width of a person.
Because of its long, thin shape and ability to maneuver in tight spaces, it has the potential to function better than current robots, the scientists said.
Ballbot's creator, Robotics Research Professor Ralph Hollis, says the robot represents a new paradigm in mobile robotics. What began as a concept in his home workshop has been funded for the last two years with grants from the National Science Foundation.
Hollis wants to prove dynamically stable robots like Ballbot can outperform their static counterparts. Traditional, statically stable mobile robots have three or more wheels for support, but are generally too wide to move easily among people and furniture. They can also tip over if they move too fast or operate on a slope.
Hollis and his team presented their latest research in May, during the International Conference on Robotics and Automation.
Source: United Press International
