Create by trial and error.
Based on the data collected, it slightly modifies the design, prints another interaction, repeating the process tirelessly, after more than 25,000 attempts MAMA BEAR managed to set a new world record with an energy absorption efficiency of 75%.
The winning design is unique and resembles a distorted flower, something that could hardly have been imagined without the help of this interesting robot, the mind behind MAMA BEAR is Keith Brown associate professor of mechanical engineering at Boston University, with help from his team at KABlab.
The goal is to create the most efficient energy absorbing structure possible.
The idea emerged in 2018 and after the construction of the laboratory in 2021, MAMA BEAR began its search for the perfect design. According to the Boston University article, the robot crushes its creations under pressure equivalent to that of an adult Arabian horse leaning on a coin, I wasn't sure what that meant, although it paints a funny mental picture
So I took the liberty of turning it into concrete data: the average weight of an adult Arabian horse is approximately 400 kg. A United States coin is 24 mm in diameter, so I conclude with the help of a calculator that this is equivalent to approximately 1.25 pounds. per inch.
The goal of this project is to create the most efficient energy absorption structure possible for various applications, such as new helmet padding for soldiers thanks to the support of the National Science Foundation and the United States Army, an increase of only 4% Energy absorption efficiency can be crucial in life-or-death situations, and these structures can be used in vehicle crash packaging, protective athletic equipment, and many other situations.
The challenge is to balance strength and flexibility to effectively protect against impacts, it is estimated that there are over 1 billion possible designs and MAMA BEAR has only just begun to explore these possibilities.
