Communications of the ACM
MilliMobile Self-Driving Robot Is Powered by Light, Radio Waves
MilliMobile is outfitted with light, temperature, and humidity sensors, as well as Bluetooth technology.
Credit: Mark Stone / University of Washington
The self-driving MilliMobile robot created by University of Washington researchers is powered by ambient light or radio waves. The four-wheeled robot harvests power from a solar panel-like collector and can travel 10 meters (30 feet) an hour on variable surfaces, carry nearly three times its own weight, and move automatically toward light sources to allow it to run indefinitely on harvested energy.
Onboard sensors and tiny computing chips enable MilliMobile to self-navigate, mapping its surroundings by sampling data at multiple points, said UW doctoral student Zachary Englhardt. The robot also can transmit data over 200 meters via Bluetooth.
The researchers tested MilliMobile indoors and outdoors, finding it can operate even under very low light conditions.
From University of Washington
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