Home > Tech

Meet the 3D-printed robot that walks without electronics

Created at Bioinspired Robotics and Design Lab, UC San Diego, this low-cost robot could help explore extreme or dangerous environments
By
Emmett Smith
 on 
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Flipboard
3D printed robot that walks on air
Watch Next
Humanoid robots are stepping onto film sets, and Atlas is leading the way 4:34
1X’s latest humanoid robot will do your chores in a sweater 1:59
Inspired by nature, this robot morphs to overcome almost any obstacle 2:15
Humanoid robots are learning to move like real athletes 1:34
Future Blink

A sneak peek at the innovations that will change our everyday lives in the future.

Researchers at Bioinspired Robotics and Design Lab, UC San Diego created a fully 3D-printed, six-legged robot that walks using compressed air. It has no electronics, motors, or batteries—just soft actuators powered by gas. Tested on various terrains, it operates continuously with a steady air supply.

Topics Robotics

More from Future Blink
A tiny shapeshifting robot could be the next big thing in biomedicine
By Teodosia Dobriyanova
A still image shows three blobs to illustrate the robot in motion after it passes through small bars.
A tiny deep sea robot took a dive into Earth's deepest trench
By Teodosia Dobriyanova
A Mashable illustration shows the small deep sea robot dive down the Mariana Trench
Alef's flying car is taking the fiction out of sci-fi
By Teodosia Dobriyanova
A photograph shows Alef Aeronautics' flying car hovering above a field
Tiny ant-like robots lift objects 350 times their weight
By Emmett Smith
Microbots lifting and moving a small ball
Spirobs shape-shifting robot moves like an octopus and grips like an elephant
By Emmett Smith
Spirobs robot picking up a tennis ball
Latest Videos
Trump interrupts 'Jesus,' riffs on Easter, tariffs, and more in 'SNL' cold open
By Matt Binder
Man in blue suit with red tie
Michael Shannon and Judy Greer on the profound poignancy of 'Eric LaRue'
By Mark Stetson and Kristy Puchko
Eric LaRue
Ncuti Gatwa and Varada Sethu play 'Slash or Pass: Doctor Who Edition'
By Kristy Puchko and Warren Shaw
'Doctor Who' Slash or Pass
Michael Cera and Michael Angarano break down the nostalgic wrestling scene from 'Sacramento'
By Mark Stetson
Michael Angarano and Michael Cera in 'Sacramento'
'Love on the Spectrum' star discusses autism independence in new Waymo video series
By Chase DiBenedetto
Love on the Spectrum star Connor Tomlinson rides in a Waymo.
Jack Black, Jason Momoa and the 'Minecraft' cast on how they "win at life"
By Mark Stetson and Ty Cole
Jack Black and Jason Momoa in 'A Minecraft Movie'
Watch OK Go team with Universal Robots for 'Love' music video
By Kristy Puchko
OK Go in "Love" Music video
'The White Lotus' star Patrick Schwarzenegger demonstrates a Saxon-style protein shake
By Sam Haysom
Two men stand on a stage making a protein shake in a blender, laughing.
'The Last of Us' Season 1 Recap: Everything you need to remember before watching season 2
By Mark Stetson and Belen Edwards
'The Last of Us' 60 Second Recap
Machine helps rebuild war-torn areas by turning rubble into bricks
By Teodosia Dobriyanova
A Mashable collage a yellow arrows pointing at three of the blocks (foreground). The background image is a drone shot of destroyed buildings in Ukraine.
The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
These newsletters may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. By clicking Subscribe, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!