Mori3: A polygon-based modular robot

Jun 12, 2023

by Christoph Belke, Kevin Holdcroft, Alexander Sigrist, and Jamie Paik.

The Mori3 is a modular robot built by the Reconfigurable Robotics Lab at EPFL.

The Mori3 can change its own shape and function through changing the way modules interconnect.

Each module is their own robot; they have their own power, motors, sensors. By themselves, they can drive around on the ground and change the length of each of their triangular edges. However, working together, they function as a complete system capable of achieving many different types of tasks.

The Mori3 is geared towards difficult to reach environments where the task isn't always known ahead of time, such as space.

For more please see the article linked below:
Morphological flexibility in robotic systems through physical polygon meshing.
doi: 10.1038/s42256-023-00676-8

Abstract - Shape-changing robots adapt their own morphology to address a wider range of functions or environments than is possible with a fixed or rigid structure. Akin to biological organisms, the ability to significantly alter shape or configuration emerges from the underlying mechanical structure, materials, or control methods. Soft robots, for instance, employ malleable materials to adapt to their environment, modular robots assemble multiple units into various three-dimensional (3D) configurations, and insect-like swarm robots interact in large numbers to fulfil tasks. However, the promise of broad functional versatility in shape-changing robots has so far been constrained by the practical implications of either increasing the degree of morphological flexibility or addressing specific applications. Here we report a method for creating robotic systems that realises both sides of this trade-off through the introduction of physical polygon meshing. By abstracting functional 3D structures, collections of shape-changing robotic modules can recreate diverse 3D shapes and dynamically control the resulting morphology. We demonstrate this approach by developing a system of polygon robots that change their own shape, attach to each other, communicate, and reconfigure to form functional and articulated structures. Applying the system to three distinct application areas of robotics involving user-interaction, locomotion, and manipulation, our work demonstrates how physical polygon meshing provides a new framework for more versatile intelligent machines.