Cornell University researchers have made a significant breakthrough in robotics by developing bio-inspired robots powered by hydraulic fluid-based batteries. The innovative technology, showcased on Monday, features a redox flow battery (RFB) that mimics biological functions, releasing electrolytic fluids that dissolve to create energy through chemical reaction.

The two robots on display, a modular worm and a jellyfish, were designed by the Cornell Engineering labs. The batteries powering these systems utilize embodied energy, an approach that incorporates power sources into the body of a machine, reducing its weight and cost. According to Professor Rob Shepherd, a mechanical and aerospace engineering expert, "There are a lot of robots that are powered hydraulically, and we're the first to use hydraulic fluid as the battery, which reduces the overall weight of the robot, because the battery serves two purposes, providing the energy for the system and providing the force to get it to move."

The RFB technology has significantly improved the performance of the robots. The robot jellyfish, for instance, can now run for an hour and a half, thanks to the advanced battery technology. The jellyfish robot was built using technology developed for a lionfish-inspired biological robot, which was unveiled in 2019. The circulating liquid in the system was referred to as "robot blood," making the battery a robot heart. The RFB powering the jellyfish features a tendon that propels the robot upward when flexed into a bell shape, mimicking the natural movement of a jellyfish.

The worm robot, on the other hand, is constructed from modular segments, similar to those seen on larger snake robots. Each segment contains a motor and a tendon actuator, which expands and contracts to create locomotion. The team notes that transitioning the robots from underwater to land presented its own challenges, primarily due to the fact that submerged robots don't require a rigid skeletal structure.

Professor Shepherd explained that the evolution of life on land is a key inspiration for the development of these robots. "This is how life on land evolved," he said. "You start with the fish, then you get a simple organism and it's supported by the ground. The worm is a simple organism, but it has more degrees of freedom."

The implications of this technology are far-reaching, with potential applications in various fields, including search and rescue, environmental monitoring, and healthcare. The development of bio-inspired robots powered by innovative battery technologies could lead to more efficient, agile, and adaptable machines that can navigate complex environments with ease.

As researchers continue to push the boundaries of robotics and artificial intelligence, innovations like these bio-inspired robots powered by hydraulic fluid-based batteries will play a crucial role in shaping the future of technology.