Engineers collected solar-powered robot from garbage

The brainchild of Viennese engineers are entitled to claim the highest score in saving natural resources. A robot that can move independently and perform useful functions is literally collected from garbage, and its energy is provided by sunlight.

The novelty is described in a scientific article published in the journal IFAC-PapersOnLine by researchers from the Technical University of Vienna.

Electronic scrap is a failed technology, from refrigerators to smartphones. Such debris on the globe is becoming more and more, and the technology of its utilization and recycling is still not put on stream.

The authors of the new study set themselves the goal of demonstrating the technological potential of this seemingly unnecessary junk. According to the publication TechXplore, the material they served as their outdated scanners, printers, computers, toys and other equipment. It was from such garbage that a robot called Scarpino was collected.

The machine can move independently in space: it is equipped with DC motors. Do not run into obstacles to the robot helps ultrasonic "locator".

The device can literally go to the light: this is assisted by special photosensitive sensors based on photoresistors. The light system is not just needed: it is powered by solar panels.

On tests, the robot independently moved around the campus of the university, found the most lighted areas and remained “to take a sunbath”.

When the battery charge level exceeds 50%, the robot can perform active actions. He can, for example, greet passersby and give them useful information.

By the way, earlier "Vesti.Nauka" (nauka.vesti.ru) reported on technologies that will make electronics more suitable for recycling, as well as allow electronic components to self-repair.

nauka.vesti.ru