Sci-fi ballbot a reality, thanks to motion control technology 21 May 2012

A team of Swiss students has turned science-fiction into reality by developing the world's first high agility, high stability 'ballbot'.

Balancing on a single sphere, the robot, dubbed Rezero, can instantly accelerate in any direction, taking ball mobility to a new level in terms of both balance and speed.

Rezero achieves this remarkable feat by constantly making minute adjustments, keeping its centre of gravity perfectly positioned.

To move, the robot performs a controlled fall in the desired direction of travel, and then applies the exact amount of drive to the ball to hold it at a constant angle.

It stops by outrunning itself, counteracting the forward momentum and bringing its body back upright.

Drive to the ball is delivered via three specially-developed omniwheel assemblies, allowing a complete range of axial and radial rotation.

Engineers from Maxon Motor helped specify a drive solution that would deliver the speed, torque and lightning responses necessary to maintain balance, within the limited space of the omniwheel housing.

"Making science fiction come true is just the kind of challenge we enjoy at Maxon," says Ian Bell, Maxon Motor senior sales engineer.

"We're all engineers, so it's always exciting to bring our specialist knowledge into a groundbreaking new project," he continues.

"The potential for such a device is huge... One thing is clear – while Rezero is truly one of a kind, it is likely the first of many."

Brian Tinham

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