Imagine a wheel that can roll on its own, without needing a human driver or any external support. Now imagine that the same wheel can also balance itself, turn around, and even stand up if it falls over. Sounds like science fiction, right? Well, not anymore. Researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign have developed a prototype of such a wheel, called RingBot, that can do all these things and more.
RingBot is a monocycle robot that has two independent driving modules inside its slim wheel body. These modules can control their own velocity and orientation, and can even make full rotations within the wheel. The most remarkable feature of RingBot, however, is its two tiny legs that can emerge from the wheel and act as stabilizers, supports, and steering mechanisms.
The legs enable RingBot to perform various tasks that would be impossible for a conventional wheel. For example, if RingBot loses balance and drops to one side, the legs will pop out and prop it up. Once it is stable, the legs will retract and the wheel will resume rolling. Similarly, if RingBot wants to change its direction, it can use its legs to pivot and turn around. The legs can also help RingBot to overcome small obstacles on its path.
The researchers behind RingBot say that their design is inspired by nature, where animals use their limbs for locomotion and manipulation. They also claim that RingBot is the first monocycle robot that can balance and turn using legs, and that it has potential applications in transportation, exploration, entertainment, and education.
To demonstrate the capabilities of RingBot, the researchers have made a video that shows it in action. They have also published a paper that details the design, modeling, and control of RingBot in the journal IEEE Transactions on Robotics.
Here is a table that summarizes some of the features and specifications of RingBot:
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 0.3 m |
| Weight | 1.5 kg |
| Maximum speed | 5 km/h |
| Number of legs | 2 |
| Leg length | 0.15 m |
| Sensors | IMU, encoder, contact switch |
| Battery | 11.1 V, 2200 mAh |
| Controller | Arduino Mega 2560 |
RingBot is still a prototype and has some limitations, such as limited battery life, low speed, and lack of obstacle detection. The researchers say that they plan to improve RingBot in the future by adding more sensors, increasing the speed and endurance, and enabling it to interact with other RingBots and humans.
RingBot is a remarkable example of how robotics can combine simplicity and complexity, and how nature can inspire innovation. RingBot shows us that a wheel can be more than just a wheel, and that a robot can have legs and roll at the same time.
