Patent attributes
Cellular automotion digital material is useable for rapid prototyping and fabrication of continuous string conformations and two- or three-dimensional shapes through actuation of a string, surface, or volume composed of identical discrete units. Each unit is an actuated joint having a single degree of freedom. The actuated joint includes a two-part actuator having an inner active portion and an outer passive portion that are controllably rotatable relative to each other, the outer portion being configured to fit within the housing of an adjacent cellular automotion unit, and a linkage element that includes a main strut and a housing and is connected to the actuator by a pin connector. The housing is configured to house the actuator of an adjacent cellular automation unit, and the opening in the strut is rotated about the axis of symmetry of the cellular automotion unit relative to the opening in the housing so that the alignment of the cellular automotion unit will be rotated with respect to the alignment of any adjacent unit. The cellular automotion unit may include an on-board processor for controlling actuation of the cellular automotion unit.
