Impact of materials on performance of Vine Robot

Abstract

Vine Robots are soft continuum robots designed with low-cost fabrication and for the navigation of difficult environments. Due to their movement patterns resembling those of natural vines, these robots also known as “everting vine robots” grow by pressure-driven eversion. This paper presents the impact of different materials on the performance of Vine Robot. Three of the most easily accessible materials namely Transparent LDPE (125 Microns), Black LDPE (150 Microns) and Tarpaulin HDPE (250 Microns) were acquired and utilized in fabricating the body of Vine Robot. Under the application of these materials, difference in various properties of the robot were studied. By systematic study, the suitability of one material over the other was determined in specific environmental scenarios.