Modular robots share power and sensors, survive failures, and adapt for greater reliability and performance.
EPFL researchers have built a modular robot that becomes more reliable as it gains more modules, thanks to a system that shares power, sensors, and communication across all units.Robots designed for complex tasks often face a simple problem: the more functions a robot has, the more likely one of its parts will fail.
Traditionally, adding modules increases a robot’s capabilities but also introduces more points of failure. Past solutions, like built-in backups or self-reconfiguring modules, only partially solved the problem.The Reconfigurable Robotics Laboratory at EPFL, led by Jamie Paik, approached the challenge differently. They introduced hyper-redundancy, a method where all critical resources, including power, sensing, and communication, are shared across modules without altering the robot’s physical structure.In tests with the four-module Mori3 robot, the team cut battery power, wireless communication, and sensing to the central module. Normally, this would stop the robot’s movement entirely. Instead, thanks to shared resources, the neighboring modules compensated, allowing the robot to continue navigating complex terrain.Sharing powers robot survivalThe design takes cues from nature. Birds share local sensing information through flocking behavior, trees communicate threats via airborne signals, and cells transport nutrients, so the loss of a single unit doesn’t compromise the organism.Modular robots, which connect multiple units to form a larger system, can now mimic these collective strategies.“We found that sharing just one or two resources was not enough: if each resource had an equal chance of failure, system reliability would continue to drop with an increasing number of agents. But when all resources were shared, this trend was reversed,” Paik explains.“Essentially, our methodology allowed us to ‘revive’ a dead module in a collective and bring it back to full functionality. Our local resource-sharing framework therefore has the potential to support highly adaptive robots that can operate with unprecedented reliability, finally resolving the reliability-adaptability conflict,” says Kevin Holdcroft, first author of the study.Collective robots gain edgeThe researchers envision extending hyper-redundancy to larger systems, including robotic swarms. Future designs could allow individual units to dock together to transfer energy and data, making them more resilient in hazardous or unpredictable environments. Such innovations could expand modular robots’ use in search-and-rescue missions, industrial inspections, and even planetary exploration.This study flips a long-standing robotics problem on its head: instead of additional modules increasing the chance of failure, they now strengthen the system. By turning redundancy into a strategic advantage, the RRL team has demonstrated a new path toward reliable, adaptive robots. The findings were published in Science Robotics.
EPFL Hyper-Redundancy Modular Robots Mori3 Resource Sharing Robotics Reliability
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Robot dogs to assist Mexican police with early threat checks at 2026 World CupMexico will deploy robot dogs during the 2026 World Cup to scout threats and protect police before officers intervene.
Read more »
A $399 robot that vacuums and mops with a full dock is a big winTech Product Reviews, How To, Best Ofs, deals and Advice
Read more »
Chinese firm unveils ‘world’s first’ humanoid robot built for warehouse operationsChinese player Geek+ unveils Gino 1, a general-purpose humanoid robot built to handle complex warehouse logistics tasks
Read more »
Modular $4K quadruped robot lets scientists test how evolution shaped animal speedOpen-source quadruped robot lets scientists test how limb design shapes speed and energy use in animals.
Read more »
Dinosaur-Themed Survival Horror Revival: Missing Classic?While many games are taking inspiration from dinosaur-themed titles, one classic survival horror game from 1999 remains absent. A new game featuring a high schooler trapped underground, battling dinosaur-like creatures, emphasizes stealth, puzzle-solving, and resource management with a unique smartwatch mechanic.
Read more »
Former San Leandro Council Member Pleads Guilty in Corruption Case Tied to Oakland ProbeBryan Azevedo, a former member of the San Leandro City Council, has admitted guilt to corruption charges, including conspiracy to commit honest services fraud and making false statements. The case is linked to a federal investigation involving former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao. Azevedo's plea follows a probe into his dealings with a co-conspirator and a modular housing company, where he allegedly used his position to benefit the company in exchange for financial gain. He faces significant prison time and fines.
Read more »