What you can see above is a simulation for the functioning of an ORBITING CUBES chain – a robotic self-structuring system (yes, this is engineering jargon). But watch the animation again: the chain of automated “bricks” can transform itself into a vertical pillar, without outside drive or exterior guides.
The brain behind the research and the prototype is Radu Apetroaia, our Engineering partner.
For a demonstration of the principle and of the functioning of the basic “cell” – two cubes linked together – we manufactured a real-life prototype which demonstrates three unique features of our design:
- The whole mechanical assembly is contained entirely inside the “cubes”.
- The “cubes” preserve attitude while performing the orbiting motion.
- There’s one single source of rotation generating the square output trajectory.
We couldn’t find such a mechanism or an existing patent – therefore we have started the patenting process through WIPO.
We’re currently studying a few areas of application:
- adaptive architecture (variable geometry buildings or structures, leading to variable functionality)
- outer space logistics and deployment of automated structures
- robotics and complex machine tools (industrial production)
- automated storage systems without external support structures
- high-end watch-making
We’re looking for partners to develop the technology and the business.
Here is our first prototype demonstrating the basic concept: a square trajectory generated from a single rotating source.