Engineers from the University of California and BASF have developed the world’s first fully 3D-printed robot that contains no electronic components. This six-legged mechanism uses only pneumatic pressure for movement, does not require manual assembly, and can start working immediately after printing.
The robot is able to walk, climb inclined surfaces, and swim. Using a system of pneumatic valves, it coordinates movement and maintains stability. The creation process took 58 hours of continuous printing, without any human involvement.
Potential applications include areas with radiation contamination and underwater research, where electronics cannot withstand the conditions. The development may also be useful in education and environmental projects due to the simplicity of the design and the accessibility of 3D printing. Overall, this is an important step in the development of autonomous robotics without electronics.
