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. 2022 Jan 5;16(1):3.
doi: 10.1186/s13036-021-00279-0.

Marimo actuated rover systems

Neil Phillips  1 , Thomas C Draper  2 , Richard Mayne  2 , Darren M Reynolds  3 , Andrew Adamatzky  2
Affiliations

Marimo actuated rover systems

Neil Phillips et al. J Biol Eng. .

Abstract

Background: The potential to directly harness photosynthesis to make actuators, biosensors and bioprocessors has been previously demonstrated in the literature. Herein, this capability has been expanded to more advanced systems - Marimo Actuated Rover Systems (MARS) - which are capable of autonomous, solar powered, movement.

Results: We demonstrate this ability is both a practical and viable alternative to conventional mobile platforms for exploration and dynamic environmental monitoring. Prototypes have been successfully tested to measure their speed of travel and ability to automatically bypass obstacles. Further, MARS is electromagnetically silent, thus avoiding the background noise generated by conventional electro/mechanical platforms which reduces instrument sensitivity. The cost of MARS is significantly lower than platforms based on conventional technology.

Conclusions: An autonomous, low-cost, lightweight, compact size, photosynthetically powered rover is reported. The potential for further system enhancements are identified and under development.

Keywords: Aegagropila linnaei; Bio-energy; Bio-rover; Bioengineering; Biomimicry; Soft robotics; Sustainability; TRIZ; Unconventional.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Photographs of Marimo ball a intact Marimo b cross-sectioned Marimo showing its filamentous nature. This Marimo ball has a diameter of ∼60mm
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Mk1 with twelve spherical enclosures, Mk2 with twelve half Marimo balls in hemispherical enclosures, Mk3 with twelve irregular Marimo mats formed from partly split balls, in pentagonal shaped enclosures, Mk4 with twelve pentagonal shaped enclosures each with six gas vents
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
a RF reflector mounted on Mk4 rover. b Close-up view of model C-19 RF reflector
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Speed of travel versus illumination level for Mk1, Mk2, Mk3, Mk4 rovers. Error bars indicate standard deviation and measurement uncertainty
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Freeze frame images of Mk2 crossing the container away from LED lamp (Laputa 60LED set to 50% of full power) a starting position b moving directly ahead c moving ahead and to the left d moving straight ahead e moving straight ahead f reaching far end of container
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
Freeze frame images of Mk4 going over a brick a rover unable to continue rolling forward as path is blocked b rover automatically becoming positive buoyant c rover begins rotate d rover passes over obstruction e rover sinks f rover continues to roll forward
Fig. 7
Fig. 7
Automatic obstruction bypassing a sketch of rover moving forward via rotation b sketch of rover unable to rotate as path is blocked by terrain c sketch of rover automatically becoming positive buoyant to bypass obstruction
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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