Attention to the sphere: the robot balloon will conduct reconnaissance in any remote area

Russian engineers have created a ball-shaped robot that can be used as a scout, a smart munition, and for other purposes. Thanks to the design, the development is able to move on difficult surfaces such as swamps or deep snow. At the same time, it surpasses many classic wheeled platforms in maneuverability, since it does not need to turn them to change the direction of movement. The device is cheap to manufacture, and its design can be modified for specific tasks. According to experts, the robot will be able to easily climb ledges and steps, as well as swim. The camera inside will allow you to collect data about the area or the current situation, experts add.

Combined Spherical Robot

Specialists from Izhevsk State Technical University (IGTU) named after M.T. Kalashnikov have developed Russia's first prototype robot in the form of a ball with a combined principle of motion. It is designed for reconnaissance purposes and is capable of moving on almost any surface, including water. This is a lightweight and compact device with a camera, the production cost of which is about 3-5 thousand rubles. It can perform tasks independently or be used as a drone. The engineers tested various ways to set the sphere in motion, selected the most suitable ones and combined them into one hybrid device.

— The design of the combined spherical robot that we have obtained is very simple and easy to control. Its technical characteristics will depend on the specific tasks that we will be assigned. We can do remote control at the required distance, change the maneuverability, size, weight, degree of autonomy. The payload is placed inside the sphere, and its mass is used to propel the robot. The prototype we are testing has a mass of 200-300 g and a diameter of 12 cm. It can carry similar equipment in weight and move at speeds up to 1 m/s," Yuri Karavaev, professor at the university's Mechatronic Systems Department, told Izvestia.

At the same time, due to the design features, large devices will be able to carry a larger payload than their own weight. The advantages of a spherical shape are that its mass is more evenly distributed over the area of the sphere than that of a wheeled platform. For this reason, it can successfully move through difficult terrain, such as deep snow or swamps. The ball can also be more maneuverable than a robot on wheels, as it does not need to turn them to change the direction of movement. The sphere itself can be made of different materials. If a camera needs to be installed on the robot, it is made transparent.

Theoretically, there are three main approaches to propel a spherical device, Yuri Karavaev added. The first and simplest is to change the position of the center of mass of the sphere, for example, due to a pendulum. The second is the use of an internal kinetic moment, which is created using flywheels and rotors located inside the sphere, oriented in different directions. The third way is movement due to shell deformation.

According to the scientist, there are several similar systems in the world. However, this technical solution requires too complex a design, so the developers decided to abandon it. Instead, they came up with a combination of the first and second technologies. Inside the ball there is a pendulum on which the rotor is placed. This ensures the reliability, cheapness and maneuverability of the structure, added Yuri Karavaev.

Using the robot on ITS own

Fundamental research conducted by specialists of Izhevsk State Technical University named after M.T. Kalashnikov is of great importance in the formation of scientific and technological sovereignty of Russia, said Sergey Kurapov, researcher at MGUTU named after K.G. Razumovsky.

— Such areas, only without the possibility of movement, are already used by special units, both ours and abroad, for example in Israel. The ball with the camera inside is thrown into the room to the opponent and transmits the picture. Equipping such devices with propellers developed at IGTU will be the next step in their evolution. Such devices will be able to be used in the free zone as scouts or assistants during the storming of buildings," he explained to Izvestia.

Exploring new ways to move platforms — robots, drones, combat and non—combat systems - to study the environment and conduct various scientific research is very useful, military expert Dmitry Kornev added.

"In any case, such developments increase the likelihood of applying new principles of movement in practice, allow us to discard inefficient systems and select systems for further study," he told Izvestia.

The robot balloon will be able to provide access to different areas of hard-to-reach terrain along almost any route. The shape of the ball is convenient because the robot can easily climb ledges, steps (depending on the size), and also swim. The camera inside will allow you to collect data about the area or the current situation, and the low cost will allow you to use the robot without fear of losing it, said Anton Averyanov, CEO of the ST IT group of companies, NTI TechNet market expert.

"First of all, it may be interesting for high—risk operations: rescue operations, inspections of hazardous areas in production facilities, investigation of emergency sites and in the military—industrial complex," he said.

Similar robots are being created in different countries. The developers try to ensure their applicability in as many situations as possible. The advantage of the development is that this robot is made by a Russian manufacturer. With proven effectiveness, it can be quickly deployed in complex and dangerous operations to improve intelligence and collect additional data in hard-to-reach locations, the expert added.