Pleurobot
Pleurobot is a bio-inspired amphibious robot developed by EPFL's Biorobotics Laboratory to mimic the locomotion of the salamander Pleurodeles waltl, aiding research in vertebrate motion, spinal cord control, and robotics for search and rescue. Featuring 27 motors, 11 spinal segments, 29 joints (including 2 passive in tail), and 3D-printed bones, it replicates walking, crawling, forward/backward/lateral terrestrial movement, turning via spine bending, surface swimming, and slope traversal up to 30 degrees. Used for studying central pattern generators (CPGs), reflexes like leg extension and stumble correction, and multimodal locomotion; potential applications in disaster response terrain navigation and neurorehabilitation insights for paraplegics
Robot Specifications
- Key FeaturesKey Features
- Top Features
- Other Features
Dimensions
Total length: 54 cm (Head to tail tip); Height: 8 cm; Width: 15 cm
Weight
2.3 kg
Speed
0.15 m/s (Walking); Swimming speed is significantly lower
Runtime
Continuous tethered
Charging Time
N/A
Battery Pack
N/A
Tethered, wired electronic circuitry
Remote control via electronic nervous system
Force sensors, custom electronics
IMU, positional sensors, force sensors on feet, camera
None
Available Countries
Switzerland (EPFL lab),international research collaborations
None
Available Colours
White/off-white skeleton
Warranty Info
None (research prototype)
Image Gallery
Below images are from EPFL's official sources
Review Videos
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Q1. What is Pleurobot, and what problem is it designed to solve?
Pleurobot is a salamander-inspired robot developed by EPFL's Biorobotics Laboratory. It addresses challenges in understanding vertebrate locomotion by replicating the 3D skeletal movements of the Spanish ribbed newt, Pleurodeles waltl, for neuroscience and biomechanics research.
Q2. What are the main capabilities and key features of Pleurobot?
Pleurobot demonstrates multimodal locomotion including terrestrial walking, crawling on uneven terrain, and surface swimming. Key features include a 3D-printed skeleton, motorized joints, and a control system mimicking neural spinal cord signals.
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