[KBS NEWS] Moving while Changing Colors… Chameleon Robot is Here!<?xml:namespace prefix = "o" ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

Link to article:  http://news.kbs.co.kr/news/view.do?ncd=4023332&ref=A

 

[Anchor]

 

Chameleon is an amazing creature that can change its color according to its surrounding environment.

 

Recently, a team of researchers developed a ‘chameleon robot’ that can also shift color and movement, using plastic films.

 

We have Beom-ju Kim introducing us to this new technology.

 

[Reporter]

 

A model butterfly sitting on a leaf spreads its wings.

 

The color becomes much vivid as its wings move.

 

Stimulated with a spark of electricity, the darkish red flower petals spread out, turning into a brighter shade of red.

 

At first glance, they look like tiny models made out of cellophane. But these are world’s first soft robots that mimic an organism’s movement and change of color at the same time.

 

They are called ‘chameleon robots’ due to their ability to move and change their color.

 

Interestingly, the materials used in creating these robots are nothing too special.

 

Dyes and plastic films that react to heat – these are commonly used materials.

 

Searching for a cheaper, simpler way to create these types of robots led the research team to come up with a new way of thinking.

 

In particular, this technology can be used in making camouflage clothing for soldiers who have to carry out missions in unexpected and varied environments.

 

[Dr. Seung Hwan Ko/Professor at SNU Dept. of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering: "If the material can change its color or shape, the same camouflage could be worn in a wider variety of situations."]

 

The research team’s goal for the next 2 years is to increase the size of the robot and the number of colors it can shift to. We could possibly see a life-size chameleon robot in the near future.

 

This is Beom-ju Kim from KBS News.