Sci Robot June 2021 PMID 34135117

Controlling subterranean forces enables a fast, steerable, burrowing soft robot.

Nicholas D Naclerio, Andras Karsai, Mason Murray-Cooper, Yasemin Ozkan-Aydin, Enes Aydin, Daniel I Goldman, Elliot W Hawkes

Mentions

44
Peak: 4 in Jun 2021
across 6 sources since Jun 2021

Extended reach

320,007
potential audience

Total likes

638

Video views

237,122

Mentions per month

Jun 2021 – Aug 2025

Where it's discussed

  • News23 articles
  • X / Twitter8 posts
  • Blogs5 articles
  • Reddit4 posts
  • YouTube2 videos
  • Facebook2 posts

AI synopsis

What people are saying

Many discussions emphasize the innovative aspects of controlling subterranean forces, with phrases like 'fast, steerable, burrowing' or 'largely unexplored,' indicating excitement and recognition of the research's potential. The tone varies from enthusiastic support to curiosity about future implications, reflecting both appreciation and interest in advancing underground robotics.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions express support or enthusiasm for the research, highlighting its novelty and potential.

InterestHigh interest

Posts show high interest, focusing on the challenges and advancements related to subterranean robotics.

EngagementModerate engagement

Comments reflect a moderate level of engagement, with some posts discussing methods or implications more deeply.

ImpactModerate impact

The posts suggest that the research could have meaningful applications, though it's still an emerging area.

Abstract in brief

  • The research focuses on developing a steerable, soft burrowing robot that can efficiently move underground by controlling forces like drag and lift, which are much higher and more complex below ground compared to air or water.
  • The team tested three hypotheses inspired by biology and physics, discovering that tip extension reduces drag, granular aeration via airflow decreases drag in a nonlinear way, and changing airflow angles affects lift in a complex manner.
  • Using these findings, they built a rootlike robot that can burrow faster than previous models, steer around obstacles, and control its pulling force and movement direction both horizontally and vertically in real sand underground.

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Science Robotics
@SciRobotics · X

A 2021 study showed how a steerable root-like soft #robot could burrow into sand for subterranean locomotion. Learn more: https://t.co/AqzCnm1IwI https://t.co/MZ1LBKFeyd

Aug 15, 2023 · 15 likes · 1 share · 27,702 followers View post →
Francis Villatoro
@emulenews · X

#ScienceRobotics Controlling subterranean forces enables a fast, steerable, burrowing soft robot https://t.co/nyo4G5etQz One frontier for robotic locomotion remains largely unexplored—subterranean navigation. A steerable, root-like soft robot controls subterranean lift and drag. https://t.co/b3SqltHGM2

Jul 8, 2021 · 2 likes · 1 share · 45,129 followers View post →
Carles Dijous
@carlesdijous · X

Controlling subterranean forces enables a fast, steerable, burrowing soft #robot. One frontier for robotic locomotion remains largely unexplored—below ground. #Subterranean navigation is simply hard to do, in part because the interaction forces... https://t.co/DTaIKvgKcQ

Jun 17, 2021 · 1 share · 8,618 followers View post →
Pat Sweeney
@Resmach55 · X

Controlling subterranean forces enables a fast, steerable, burrowing soft robot | Science Robotics https://t.co/cqvDfjvTTV

Jun 16, 2021 · 928 followers View post →
Masahiro Ikeda
@ikeko24 · X

RT @SciRobotics: A 2021 study showed how a steerable root-like soft #robot could burrow into sand for subterranean locomotion. Learn more:…

Aug 15, 2023 · 1 share · 381 followers View post →
Gerardo Collado
@Gedardoo · X

RT @emulenews: #ScienceRobotics Controlling subterranean forces enables a fast, steerable, burrowing soft robot https://t.co/nyo4G5etQz One…

Jul 8, 2021 · 1 share · 76 followers View post →

All mentions

Masahiro Ikeda
@ikeko24 · X

RT @SciRobotics: A 2021 study showed how a steerable root-like soft #robot could burrow into sand for subterranean locomotion. Learn more:…

Aug 15, 2023 · 1 share · 381 followers View post →
Science Robotics
@SciRobotics · X

A 2021 study showed how a steerable root-like soft #robot could burrow into sand for subterranean locomotion. Learn more: https://t.co/AqzCnm1IwI https://t.co/MZ1LBKFeyd

Aug 15, 2023 · 15 likes · 1 share · 27,702 followers View post →
Gerardo Collado
@Gedardoo · X

RT @emulenews: #ScienceRobotics Controlling subterranean forces enables a fast, steerable, burrowing soft robot https://t.co/nyo4G5etQz One…

Jul 8, 2021 · 1 share · 76 followers View post →
Francis Villatoro
@emulenews · X

#ScienceRobotics Controlling subterranean forces enables a fast, steerable, burrowing soft robot https://t.co/nyo4G5etQz One frontier for robotic locomotion remains largely unexplored—subterranean navigation. A steerable, root-like soft robot controls subterranean lift and drag. https://t.co/b3SqltHGM2

Jul 8, 2021 · 2 likes · 1 share · 45,129 followers View post →
Boris Linke
@1982blink · X

Controlling subterranean forces enables a fast, steerable, burrowing soft #robot https://t.co/9hFRLLtlEx via https://t.co/RjITR3JWc8 https://t.co/XBYr6W28Mu

Jun 19, 2021 · 40 followers View post →
Kadar Khan
@kadar_k · X

RT @carlesdijous: Controlling subterranean forces enables a fast, steerable, burrowing soft #robot. One frontier for robotic locomotion rem…

Jun 17, 2021 · 1 share View post →
Carles Dijous
@carlesdijous · X

Controlling subterranean forces enables a fast, steerable, burrowing soft #robot. One frontier for robotic locomotion remains largely unexplored—below ground. #Subterranean navigation is simply hard to do, in part because the interaction forces... https://t.co/DTaIKvgKcQ

Jun 17, 2021 · 1 share · 8,618 followers View post →
Pat Sweeney
@Resmach55 · X

Controlling subterranean forces enables a fast, steerable, burrowing soft robot | Science Robotics https://t.co/cqvDfjvTTV

Jun 16, 2021 · 928 followers View post →