Sci Robot August 2024 PMID 39141707

Variable-stiffness-morphing wheel inspired by the surface tension of a liquid droplet.

Jae-Young Lee, Seongji Han, Munyu Kim, Yong-Sin Seo, Jongwoo Park, Dong Il Park, Chanhun Park, Hyunuk Seo, Joonho Lee, Hwi-Su Kim, Jeongae Bak, Hugo Rodrigue, Jin-Gyun Kim, Joono Cheong, Sung-Hyuk Song

Mentions

81
Peak: 21 in Aug 2024
across 5 sources since Aug 2024

Extended reach

9,150,398
potential audience

Total likes

335

Video views

28,868

Mentions per month

Aug 2024 – Sep 2025

Where it's discussed

  • News42 articles
  • X / Twitter30 posts
  • Blogs5 articles
  • YouTube2 videos
  • Facebook2 posts

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The overall tone of the discussions reflects enthusiasm about the engineering innovation, with comments praising it as an 'awesome improvement' and 'reinventing the wheel.' Some posts elaborate on the mechanics, noting how the wheel's surface tension-inspired design could help it traverse rough terrain or obstacles, demonstrating a strong interest and engagement with the potential applications and scientific insight.

AgreementModerate agreement

The majority of discussions show positive recognition of the research's novelty and effectiveness, with many describing the wheel as a 'cool' or 'awesome improvement', indicating general agreement on its innovation.

InterestHigh interest

Posts express high curiosity and relevance, highlighting the design's potential for practical applications like obstacle navigation and terrain adaptation, which resonates with technological enthusiasts.

EngagementHigh engagement

Several discussions delve into the mechanics and significance of the surface tension-inspired design, with phrases like 'reinvented the wheel' and 'fill the gaps with innovation', suggesting deep engagement with the concepts.

ImpactModerate impact

Although the tone is mostly celebratory, some posts hint at the broader influence, mentioning 'revisiting centuries-old technologies' and the neighborhood between traditional and modern engineering, indicating perceived moderate impact.

Abstract in brief

  • This study introduces a variable-stiffness wheel inspired by the surface tension of a liquid droplet, where changing tension in wire spokes alters the wheel's shape and stiffness.
  • When tension increases, the wheel becomes more rigid and circular, ideal for high-speed movement on flat surfaces; decreasing tension allows the wheel to deform easily, helping it overcome obstacles.
  • The design was successfully implemented in a two-wheeled wheelchair, enabling real-time switching between stiff and deformable states to better handle different terrains outdoors.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Science Magazine
@ScienceMagazine · X

A new @SciRobotics study describes a variable-stiffness wheel that mimics surface tension of liquid droplets to switch between circular and irregular modes on rough terrain. https://t.co/WEerunRkRh https://t.co/98GSNZyx4E

Aug 23, 2024 · 87 likes · 12 shares · 4,517,840 followers View post →
Science Magazine
@ScienceMagazine · X

A new @SciRobotics study describes a variable-stiffness wheel that mimics surface tension of liquid droplets to switch between circular and irregular modes on rough terrain. https://t.co/CA01mMO0I1 https://t.co/gFrP5IuRfb

Aug 20, 2024 · 69 likes · 5 shares · 4,517,840 followers View post →
Science Robotics
@SciRobotics · X

Researchers have designed a shapeshifting wheel that can drive over obstacles like steps and large rocks. Learn more in Science #Robotics: https://t.co/589Z7EwMx2 https://t.co/AJcFqTMgqI

Aug 14, 2024 · 27 likes · 2 shares · 27,694 followers View post →
Science Robotics
@SciRobotics · X

A new Science #Robotics study describes a variable-stiffness #wheel that mimics surface tension of liquid droplets to switch between circular and irregular modes on rough terrain. https://t.co/UTg7jdF0ch https://t.co/MHn9PozOVf

Aug 16, 2024 · 14 likes · 2 shares · 27,694 followers View post →
電通大金田研 | ayato kanada
@AyatoKanada · X

何か面白そうな奴が出てるな。パッと見めっちゃ剛性が変わるタイヤかな?後で見る。 https://t.co/4OactPYLNx

Aug 22, 2024 · 5 likes · 1 share · 579 followers View post →
M. Efe Tiryaki
@EfeTiryaki1 · X

Somebody reinvented the wheel, again. I really like these reinventing-the-wheel papers, which show the importance of revisiting centuries-old technologies and filling the gaps with innovation. https://t.co/I06FSzvytI

Aug 15, 2024 · 5 likes · 299 followers View post →

All mentions

The 3D Printing Bootcamp
@3d_bootcamp · X

3D Printed Shapeshifting "Morphing" Wheel ֍ Paper: https://t.co/8cKbPDAGJu ----- → Join our weekly newsletter and receive educational videos: https://t.co/EvOx65E1Li #3Dprinting #3Dprintingtraining #3Dprintingcareers #3Dprintingjobs #additivemanufacturing https://t.co/P6YDtCCkDA

May 9, 2025 · 1 like · 1,252 followers View post →
hogelungfish
@hogelungfish · X

@_596_ https://t.co/JObvYwkkQk

Sep 13, 2024 · 802 followers View post →
hogelungfish
@hogelungfish · X

@_596_ https://t.co/JwpJkgCcvr 可変剛性タイヤの論文⬆️ https://t.co/MDQhidKQwl

Sep 13, 2024 · 802 followers View post →
ruediger rutz
@ruediger58492 · X

6rjg CV gg3__ddd5km. nn TT 8$%÷¢f55666⁴https://t.co/6RxMKRdxYi

Sep 9, 2024 View post →
Zack Hoff
@Deiscorides · X

Oh, and if you are interested in the cool large-wheeled robot in that cover page, it comes from here, https://t.co/t5xfgvEY5S

Sep 7, 2024 · 202 followers View post →
hogelungfish
@hogelungfish · X

Sep 3, 2024 · 1 like · 802 followers View post →
Gerard Hough
@GerardHough · X

https://t.co/K5My24tCXf

Sep 2, 2024 · 1,746 followers View post →
Gerard Hough
@GerardHough · X

Variable-stiffness–morphing wheel inspired by the surface tension of a liquid droplet https://t.co/IRmiw17NF1

Sep 2, 2024 · 1,746 followers View post →
Sugar TV (engi)
@tv_engi51614 · X

한국기계연구원, “바위 넘고 계단 오르는 바퀴” 세계 최초 개발 Variable-stiffness–morphing wheel inspired by the surface tension of a liquid droplet https://t.co/8S6CgW2X3q

Sep 2, 2024 · 3 followers View post →
Scarlett Winslet
@GM_Winslet · X

RT @ScienceMagazine: A new @SciRobotics study describes a variable-stiffness wheel that mimics surface tension of liquid droplets to switch…

Aug 23, 2024 · 12 shares · 411 followers View post →
Im-Not-Impressed
@AusieDeMan · X

RT @ScienceMagazine: A new @SciRobotics study describes a variable-stiffness wheel that mimics surface tension of liquid droplets to switch…

Aug 23, 2024 · 12 shares · 15 followers View post →
Soy Ateo
@ateoyagnostico · X

RT @ScienceMagazine: A new @SciRobotics study describes a variable-stiffness wheel that mimics surface tension of liquid droplets to switch…

Aug 23, 2024 · 12 shares · 13,434 followers View post →
kudan
@kudan_b · X

RT @AyatoKanada: 何か面白そうな奴が出てるな。パッと見めっちゃ剛性が変わるタイヤかな?後で見る。 https://t.co/4OactPYLNx

Aug 23, 2024 · 1 share · 520 followers View post →
New
@New894952815373 · X

RT @ScienceMagazine: A new @SciRobotics study describes a variable-stiffness wheel that mimics surface tension of liquid droplets to switch…

Aug 23, 2024 · 12 shares · 45 followers View post →
Cristiano da Silva Caetano
@Cdsc75 · X

Awesome improvement for thousands of years old wheel technology.

Aug 23, 2024 · 282 followers View post →
Jay
@jhayrocas · X

RT @ScienceMagazine: A new @SciRobotics study describes a variable-stiffness wheel that mimics surface tension of liquid droplets to switch…

Aug 23, 2024 · 12 shares · 796 followers View post →
Kalhan Boralessa
@KalhanML · X

RT @ScienceMagazine: A new @SciRobotics study describes a variable-stiffness wheel that mimics surface tension of liquid droplets to switch…

Aug 23, 2024 · 12 shares · 512 followers View post →
Science Magazine
@ScienceMagazine · X

A new @SciRobotics study describes a variable-stiffness wheel that mimics surface tension of liquid droplets to switch between circular and irregular modes on rough terrain. https://t.co/WEerunRkRh https://t.co/98GSNZyx4E

Aug 23, 2024 · 87 likes · 12 shares · 4,517,840 followers View post →
電通大金田研 | ayato kanada
@AyatoKanada · X

何か面白そうな奴が出てるな。パッと見めっちゃ剛性が変わるタイヤかな?後で見る。 https://t.co/4OactPYLNx

Aug 22, 2024 · 5 likes · 1 share · 579 followers View post →
Deimar Perea Moreno
@DeimarPerea · X

RT @ScienceMagazine: A new @SciRobotics study describes a variable-stiffness wheel that mimics surface tension of liquid droplets to switch…

Aug 20, 2024 · 5 shares · 484 followers View post →
Deborah Hatheway
@DeborahHat89592 · X

RT @ScienceMagazine: A new @SciRobotics study describes a variable-stiffness wheel that mimics surface tension of liquid droplets to switch…

Aug 20, 2024 · 5 shares · 1,187 followers View post →
Science Magazine
@ScienceMagazine · X

A new @SciRobotics study describes a variable-stiffness wheel that mimics surface tension of liquid droplets to switch between circular and irregular modes on rough terrain. https://t.co/CA01mMO0I1 https://t.co/gFrP5IuRfb

Aug 20, 2024 · 69 likes · 5 shares · 4,517,840 followers View post →
Heiko Hamann
@SwarmDynamics · X

RT @SciRobotics: A new Science #Robotics study describes a variable-stiffness #wheel that mimics surface tension of liquid droplets to swit…

Aug 16, 2024 · 2 shares · 1,989 followers View post →
Science Robotics
@SciRobotics · X

A new Science #Robotics study describes a variable-stiffness #wheel that mimics surface tension of liquid droplets to switch between circular and irregular modes on rough terrain. https://t.co/UTg7jdF0ch https://t.co/MHn9PozOVf

Aug 16, 2024 · 14 likes · 2 shares · 27,694 followers View post →
Biomimetics
@Biomimetics_abe · X

Variable-stiffness–morphing wheel inspired by the surface tension of a liquid droplet | https://t.co/W92M5G903l

Aug 15, 2024 · 1 like · 391 followers View post →
Jim
@Jim_Lewis_ · X

@ScienceMagazine @SciRobotics The link https://t.co/9jDbnRfuzb

Aug 15, 2024 · 1 like · 145 followers View post →
M. Efe Tiryaki
@EfeTiryaki1 · X

Somebody reinvented the wheel, again. I really like these reinventing-the-wheel papers, which show the importance of revisiting centuries-old technologies and filling the gaps with innovation. https://t.co/I06FSzvytI

Aug 15, 2024 · 5 likes · 299 followers View post →
Joe Scalone
@ScaloneJoe · X

Variable-stiffness–morphing wheel inspired by the surface tension of a liquid droplet | Science Robotics https://t.co/9BgLzC2fBz

Aug 14, 2024 · 523 followers View post →
Wiegold
@vievararosel · X

RT @SciRobotics: Researchers have designed a shapeshifting wheel that can drive over obstacles like steps and large rocks. Learn more in…

Aug 14, 2024 · 2 shares · 1,278 followers View post →
Science Robotics
@SciRobotics · X

Researchers have designed a shapeshifting wheel that can drive over obstacles like steps and large rocks. Learn more in Science #Robotics: https://t.co/589Z7EwMx2 https://t.co/AJcFqTMgqI

Aug 14, 2024 · 27 likes · 2 shares · 27,694 followers View post →