The term metamaterial robotics belongs to the categories robotics, industry and factory 4.0 as well as nanotechnology. Metamaterials are special, artificially produced materials that have properties that do not occur in nature. In robotics, they are used to achieve completely new movement and deformation capabilities in robots.
In contrast to traditional robots made of solid individual parts, a robot made of metamaterials can change its shape flexibly and in a targeted manner. This enables, for example, gripper arms that adapt to a wide variety of objects - from round balls to delicate glasses. Or robot feet which, thanks to metamaterials, find a secure grip even on slippery or uneven surfaces.
An illustrative example: Imagine a gripper robot in a factory that uses metamaterials to automatically recognise and adapt to whether it is transporting a raw egg, a smartphone or a heavy metal bar. This prevents damage and makes processes more efficient.
Metamaterial robotics stands for a new generation of smart, adaptable machines and will fundamentally change automation in factories and logistics centres.
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