You guys can consider using Electropermanent magnets (electromagnets witb zero static power consumption) to save power! I discussed this idea and its applications to modular robots in my video
Good question! We wanted to use caster to ensure the balance of the internal mechanism to prevent it from toppling in the spherical shell. Later, it was found that the toppling was almost impossible because the strong magnet was adsorbed on the inner surface. So in the latest version, caster has been canceled.
Very insightful question! The battery life of a FreeBOT depends on its battery capacity and power consumption. In the current version, if the FreeBOT is in standby mode, it can work for more than three hours. If it keeps moving, its working time is less than one hour. Charging the FreeBOT is a troublesome problem due to the wrapping of the shell. Recently, we connected the battery ends to the spherical shell through a clever design, so that we can directly operate the spherical shell to realize the charging of FreeBOT. The charging mechanism will be published soon, please look forward to it!
![[Nature Communications] Snail-inspired robotic swarms](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/aNw92VlH3rA/mqdefault.jpg)
You guys can consider using Electropermanent magnets (electromagnets witb zero static power consumption) to save power! I discussed this idea and its applications to modular robots in my video
Great work!
Love it my friends
Wow
What is the purpose of the two caster wheels here?
Good question! We wanted to use caster to ensure the balance of the internal mechanism to prevent it from toppling in the spherical shell. Later, it was found that the toppling was almost impossible because the strong magnet was adsorbed on the inner surface. So in the latest version, caster has been canceled.
I noticed you don't show the battery in the internal configuration diagrams. How long does it last, and how is it recharged?
Very insightful question! The battery life of a FreeBOT depends on its battery capacity and power consumption. In the current version, if the FreeBOT is in standby mode, it can work for more than three hours. If it keeps moving, its working time is less than one hour. Charging the FreeBOT is a troublesome problem due to the wrapping of the shell. Recently, we connected the battery ends to the spherical shell through a clever design, so that we can directly operate the spherical shell to realize the charging of FreeBOT. The charging mechanism will be published soon, please look forward to it!
when two freebots are connected side by side? can both of them move simultaneously? or only one of capable of moving?
Very clever design!!! Good job i hope this project continues!