ShapeBots: Shape-changing Swarm Robots

TL;DR

ShapeBots introduces a novel swarm robot system capable of self-transforming shapes, enabling dynamic physical interfaces for visualization, actuation, and interaction in distributed environments.

Contribution

This paper presents the design and prototype of shape-changing swarm robots, demonstrating their potential for versatile physical interfaces and collective shape transformation.

Findings

Robots can change shape using small linear actuators.

Modular design allows various configurations and geometries.

Potential applications include data visualization and tangible interfaces.

Abstract

We introduce shape-changing swarm robots. A swarm of self-transformable robots can both individually and collectively change their configuration to display information, actuate objects, act as tangible controllers, visualize data, and provide physical affordances. ShapeBots is a concept prototype of shape-changing swarm robots. Each robot can change its shape by leveraging small linear actuators that are thin (2.5 cm) and highly extendable (up to 20cm) in both horizontal and vertical directions. The modular design of each actuator enables various shapes and geometries of self-transformation. We illustrate potential application scenarios and discuss how this type of interface opens up possibilities for the future of ubiquitous and distributed shape-changing interfaces.