Yale’s gecko-inspired robot’s ability to reconfigure itself creates a soft robot that’s even more adaptable. Tan, who works on materials for soft electronics and soft robotics, says that Yale’s robot is the first self-amputating, self-reconfigurable soft robot she’s seen. “What if a soft robot is just minding its own business walking in the wild, but then some part of it is trapped under a rock?” he questioned. “How does the rest of the robot continue on to finish its mission?”Three soft robot modules join to cross a gap that’s too wide for one to bridge on its own. “We can now adapt soft robots … after the robot is underway for its tasks,” he said.

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Persons: Bilige Yang, ”, Yu Jun Tan, Tan, Yang, Yale University Yang Organizations: CNN, Yale University, Yale, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Materials, National University of Singapore, NUS Locations: Connecticut