Scientists have been working on developing soft robots for decades. These robots are inspired by an organism that is generally considered to be of no use, ie the earthworm without a spine. However, the qualities of earthworms are quite unique in themselves. For example, they can dig very well in the soil and can easily enter and turn anywhere.

Elsa Arrazola, a researcher at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, says that earthworms are very flexible. Earthworms can do some things that even machines can’t do now. This is the reason why robotic earthworms can prove to be very helpful in many fields like science, defence, medicine, agriculture.

Created a robot that looks like an earthworm
Researchers from the Soft Robotics Group of the Italian Institute of Technology (IIT) have created a robot that can move like an earthworm. IIT mechanical engineer Riddhi Das says, ‘This design is quite unique.

In this, positive and negative pressure is used to move the robotic earthworm forward and backward. The robotic earthworm they made is like a light dumbbell in shape. It is filled with gel which helps in its movement.

Researchers from IIT’s Soft Robotics Group have created a robot that can move like an earthworm.

Such innovation is important for the world of robotics
Electrical engineer Yasmin Ozken of Notre Dame University of America says that this innovation of IIT Group is important for the world of robotics. ‘Robotic earthworms can dig tunnels very well,’ says GE mechanical engineer Deepak Trivedi. He sees great potential for the robot, about 10 cm in diameter, made by GE.

Robotic earthworms can also be useful in mining
According to GE’s Trivedi, earthworm-like robots can be used for mining, agricultural sensing and taking soil samples in other planets. Apart from this, they can also be used in search, relief and rescue operations during natural calamities like earthquakes, floods.

The camera-equipped robotic earthworm can easily locate buried people by going into the smallest of places. However, a lot of work remains to be done in this direction. Maybe after a few years you will see a robotic earthworm crawling under your feet.