Camouflage: An amazing chameleon-inspired robot changes colors in real time to match its background

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A gentle robot that can change colors in real time to match its background like a chameleon could pave the way for new forms of military camouflage.

The “artificial chameleon skin” that covers the segmented back of the plastic-bodied walking robot was developed by a team led by Seoul National University.

Designed to resemble the animal, the little walking robot is 1 foot and 3 inches (38 cm) long, approximately six inches (15 cm) wide, and weighs 2 lbs (0.9 kg).

Images of the chameleon robot show him walking against a background with stripes of different colors and textures, which he studies with his sensors.

As it passes through each strip, the segments on the robot’s back gradually change hue to match, gradually changing from an orange-red to green and finally to a rich blue.

Other applications of the technology could include creating flexible and portable displays and making cars or buildings that could change color according to the user’s desires.

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A gentle robot that can change colors in real time to match its background, just like a chameleon, could pave the way for new forms of military camouflage. Pictured: During a demonstration, the robot changed its back to fit the surface it was walking on

Built to look like the actual chameleons (as pictured) that inspired it, the little walking robot is 1 foot and 3 inches long, approximately six inches wide, and weighs 2 pounds

The “artificial chameleon skin” that covers the segmented back of the plastic-bodied walking robot was developed by a team led by Seoul National University. In the photo: the robot with its deactivated camouflage (left) contrasts with the complex patterns it can reproduce (right)

HOW THE BOT WORKS

The chameleon robot has sensors that analyze the hue and pattern of the surfaces it walks on.

Its skin, meanwhile, combines layers of temperature-changing color-changing liquid crystals with vertically stacked patterned silver nanowire heating networks.

These heat the liquid crystal so that it changes smoothly to match the color of the background detected by the sensor.

He added: “For the military, that would make a great secret intelligent scout robot – and impossibleIe for the enemy to notice.

“It also opens the door to actively camouflage a soldier.

“Current military uniforms are ‘passive’. They have a fixed color and patterns that cannot reflect the change of environment. ‘

On the other hand, active camouflage would be able to change its appearance to better blend in with the background.

However, achieving such capabilities technologically has long been a difficult feat, as artificial camouflage devices must be able to display a wide range of possible colors that can be changed on demand and reflect the fine details of the background. plan.

In their study, Professor Ko and his colleagues achieved this by using a novel strategy that combines embedded thermochromic liquid crystal layers (temperature-driven color change) with vertically stacked patterned silver nanowire heating arrays. .

Color sensors and feedback systems built into the robot detect the local background color, then transfer its skin color to match.

Stealth and camouflage apps aren’t the only uses the team is devising for their artificial chameleon skin technology.

“You can imagine a fabric that changes color and pattern to suit your taste or your surroundings,” Professor Ko said.

“Other applications include active background adaptations for ‘cosmetic’ or ‘aesthetic’ purposes, cars, clothing or buildings.

“In addition, this chameleon technology can be used for future flexible and portable displays.

The researchers created their artificial chameleon skin by combining layers of thermochromic liquid crystals (temperature-driven color change) (left and middle) with vertically stacked silver nanowire heating arrays (left and top right). ).

The robot’s built-in color sensors and feedback systems detect the local background color, then change the color of its skin to match, as shown

At present, the chameleon robot developed by the researcher is a little bigger than the real one.

However, once their initial study is complete, the team hopes to be able to reduce the design.

Additionally, the team is looking to give the robot the ability to mirror the textures of background surfaces with greater resolution, a feat they believe could be achievable through advancements in signal processing and signal processing. data-driven science.

The full results of the study were published in the journal Nature Communications.

“The ultimate form of this app will be an invisibility cloak – blending into the background,” said author of the article and mechanical engineer Seung Hwan Ko of Seoul National University in Korea. from South. Pictured: The robot, which is black when turned off, changes its skin color when it walks on a multi-colored surface

CAMOUFLAGE TECHNIQUES USED BY PLANTS AND ANIMALS

Plants may seem passive, but they camouflage themselves just like animals, research has found.

Blending into the background helps plants protect themselves from predators and has the same benefits as the technique for animals.

They use various nifty techniques, including getting like unimportant objects like stones.

Background match – it is about blending with the colors of the shapes of the habitat where they live.

Disruptive coloring – marks that create the appearance of false edges and boundaries, making it more difficult to see the true outline.

Masquerade – look like something else; usually something that a predator might ignore, such as a stone or a twig.

Examples include living stones, certain cacti, passion vines, and mistletoe.

Decoration – accumulation of material from the environment.

For example, some coastal and dune plants are covered with sand because of their sticky glands, which makes them less visible to the forms of the habitat where they live.

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