How this Snake Robot Climbs Over Obstacles

[@Innomen]

Dude, this is one of the most practical designs you've ever made, the potential here is immense because you can add segments, in both length and width. Think carpet/caterpillar. This is a true platform.

[@danielbruin]

It definitely moves like a happy animal :) Interesting project James!

[@Sir_Ninonino]

Imagine if he also added the smoothing script he made to make it look even more natural.

[@ThanaraNZ]

This worked fantastically well, James. It certainly reminds me of a caterpillar or millipede. I'd love to see this robot with millipede locomotion.

[@ilikeyourname4807]

That "new mode of locomotion" where the snake walks sideways is actually pretty similar to something some actual snakes do on terrain where they can't slither very well. It's called sidewinding and some desert snakes are particularly well-known for doing it. It's also the namesake for both a song by Avenged Sevenfold and a class of air-to-air missiles

[@Onio_Saiyan]

May also be a snake by that name as well come to think of it.

[@DrWhom]

also R.E.M.

[@EeekiE]

This one is genuinely a good design. Would love to see this idea investigated further!

[@Hephera]

this thing is amazing! one of the best designs I think you've ever done! I'd love to see a V2 with some improvements based on what you've learned from this one. seems like it would be good to have the front wheel further forward and the back wheel further back so they can still make contact even when fully bent. and maybe more sections with smaller wheels to give it a more even keel so things dont get stick between the wheels

[@vannoo67]

I'd also try to provide more ground clearance for the segment joint pivots. It seems to me that most of the time that the robot got caught on something it was those pivots.

[@private9365]

Just make the wheels bigger

[@MBPaperPlanes]

I agree with these ideas! Not only make the wheels bigger, but make them tall enough that it can operate equally upside-down or right-side-up. I'd like to see if it can right itself if it falls on its side. Maybe it could with the existing bending controls, but maybe it needs a 3rd axis of rotation to be able to twist? That would be super advantageous for something like a search and rescue robot.

[@nathanhelmburger]

Came to comments section to say I wanted to see it with bigger wheels, and found I wasn't the only one thinking that!

[@nathanhelmburger]

Actually, if the wheels were both larger and hemispherical, then it might be able to self-right when falling on its side

[@YbborNetsrek]

A few years back, just one of your projects took a descent builder a year.. You swing them out in weeks. Love rapid prototyping!

[@Matty.Hill_87]

Is crazy what 3d printers allow people to do

[@graealex]

@@Matty.Hill_87 Pretty sure accessibility to CAD software to simulate kinematics also plays a role here.

[@Matty.Hill_87]

@@graealex that's very true, I don't know to much about what goes into apart from the surface level stuff, half of the stuff James says goes straight over my head 😂😂

[@BenWex]

dont discount his crazy work ethic

[@avibank]

This would be a great platform for Reinforcement Learning experiments and demos.

[@joshuahancock2079]

Ok I love this. Among my favorites of your builds.

[@jamesinc87]

I think this is my favourite out of all your robots, for how simple the concept is, the result is amazing.

[@bertnorticus1662]

I'd love to see water in different reservoirs and pumps sending weight forward or back. You could climb over crazy stuff

[@benGman69]

Wow, I have to admit I wasn't very impressed until it started being tested on terrain, it moves very well. Looks like an MIT robot or something.

[@SamHodby]

Looks like a caterpillar with wheels. pretty cool! Love all the different things you make.

[@patprop74]

That is pretty impressive James, I could see that being used in real-world applications, from, the Military and off-road enthusiasts to researchers, you are definitely on to something.

[@njits23]

The sideways shuffle is such an interesting side effect of the way the robot bends. It would be especially useful in tight spaces where multi-point turns are impractical.

[@NeilABliss]

Bigger you say, well that sounds like a Furze project.

[@videoviewer2008]

+1 for the collaboration

[@williamchamberlain2263]

Bigger _and_ on fire you say?

[@davisdiercks]

Giant 3D printed project? Nah we need Ivan Miranda in on this lol

[@NeilABliss]

@@williamchamberlain2263 with rocket launchers

[@williamchamberlain2263]

@@NeilABliss obviously

[@ExplodingWaffle101]

love how you discovered the sidewinding movement of real snakes there. if you built a robot fully out of servos, you could make one that moves forward like a real snake as well

[@jeansonne100]

This one is my favorite so far. I hope you keep working on this one. It’s incredible how life-like it is using just servo motors.

[@Skyentific]

Simple and great design!

adding bearings in the front and the back and between the joints will definitely help climbing objects ! good job by the way

[@fabioteixeira868]

Just a thought about the issue of the back of the robot also bending upwards, maybe if you added just another segment to make 5, the balance point on the middle of the robot would be over two wheels instead of in the middle point of four. With that, seems to me that adding a little more weight on the back (another battery?) should allow the two front segments to rise as you wanted... PS: Awesome work!

[@jordiespinafont2984]

This is such an amazing project James. It feels like it is one your best "unexpected outcome". How that robot can perform through the rough terrains you showed is astonishing. (I want to point out how the best solutions are the ones which imitate nature the most). Huge congratulations sent your way James. Keep the beautiful ideas flowing

[@iAmTheSquidThing]

I'd definitely like to see how this thing performs with the segments steered in sequence, like it's following a virtual track.

[@khrob]

I think this is one of the most beautiful things you’ve ever built. Lovely motion!

[@Wi1boWaggins]

I like this one a lot, especially seeing the evolution from the previous worm. I think that if you added an extra segment, you could pick up the front two segments without picking up the back segment and vice versa.

[@CuulX]

Such a simple design with extreme capabilty. Has so much flexibility in the ways it moves and clears obstacles. Really ingenious and the video got even more impressive for every minute. I want to see this concept taken further.

[@engineer0239]

The frequency you yeet out these awesome robots like its nothing is truely amazing. It really shows how effective skilled 3D designing and printing is for prototypes!

[@ufookoro1]

Out of all the projects I have seen, this is the most successful on the first try. Simple awesome.

[@MrVige]

It would be interesting to see "worm-robot" that actually moves by moving liquid to different segments of its body like a real worm.

[@OwnerOfOwn]

your projects are so creative man!

[@SaplinGuy]

For James and anyone else interested in this sort of project: there's a cool channel called Brick Experiment Channel that has been doing a few of these kinds of videos using Lego Technic recently. The designs are simpler, but he goes through several iterations per video, showing the progression and capabilities of the designs. Would be awesome if James took a look at maybe even tried out a design or two in a video!

[@DJ-kx4en]

Beautiful to watch! I think if you are trying to get this full scale, please do a collaboration with Ivan! Yall are awesome!

[@Polden_]

I think this is your best climbing robot so far. It was able to climb objects that are more than 2x taller than the wheel diameter, go over sharp corners and clear big gaps. Very cool

[@robotgrrl]

Really inspiring how well this robot works! Simple units connected together to form a more complex system. Awesome! Loved the translational movement too.

[@zeekjones1]

Distance sensors near each segments wheels can help adjust to an angle where the wheels make contact. Having the segments copy the previous segment with delay, is kind of how the animals work, and can make it infinitely scalable if the segments carry their own power. _I see this codewise similar to an LED strip chase._ For higher speeds the 'chase' would be quicker, so if you turn, each segment, as it passes the same spot, turns in the same position.

[@USDigital]

You had us at "snake robot" but watching the segment where it traveled over/across obstacles was really entertaining.

[@upperhandcustoms11]

I would love to see how much better it works with 2 or more segments added! Well done.

[@TheUberdude187]

Really happy Colin furze had you as his secret santa this year. Wouldn't have found such a greatly entertaining channel otherwise. Keep up the great work.

[@RickshawMunky]

Solid build out of the box 👍 incredible range of movement!

[@georgemathieson6097]

It's crazy how natural the movements are of this thing!!

[@antibyto4579]

Great project, but a question came to my mind while watching the video: would it be able to recover from a sideways position? (If it falls and now lays on its side, could it get back onto its wheels? By turning and else).

[@lgtwzrd]

I'm very impressed. This turned out working extremely well and it could definitely scale up to a very flexible all terrain vehicle!

[@Crushonius]

one or two more sections would be interesting

[@Onio_Saiyan]

This is one of the more adorable little robots I've seen on this channel.

[@afajalaka]

It’s amazing how quickly you design and build these fantastic robots. Hats off to one of my favorite channels. Congrats on 1MM!!

[@aadityagadhvi4236]

You should definitely make a much longer version. That side to side motion pretty funny

[@armancodeq3642]

apart from electronics and coding, what should one learn to make such complex mechanical designs? *Mechatronics?*

[@208Concepts]

To get past the grounding issue, you could simply use larger wheels 😁

[@AbhishekThakur-wl1pl]

That will make it heavier and difficult to pull.

[@keksdieb4020]

I thought the same! The limiting factor is that they come closer the more the segments are bent together, but it looks like there is some space left. I can't imagine, weight could be a big problem, because it is distributed over the whole creature.

[@leftaroundabout]

Redesigning the 1st and 3rd segment to have only one centered wheel instead of two one the sides would allow still bending to tight corners ,even with bigger wheels. It would also save weight.

[@jurajvariny6034]

Or multiple smaller wheels. They will be harder to power though... unless every wheel has its own small motor. Or maybe it would work okay with some unpowered wheels.

[@nathanhelmburger]

If you had multiple small wheels in the middle sections, they could be hooked together through a two belt and freewheel linkage. That plus large hemispherical wheels on the front and back, plus one extra front section for higher bending... That summarizes all the best ideas I've seen mentioned so far across the comment threads.

[@nogmeerjan]

You have come up with some interesting designs but I think this one stands out by far. It is relatively simple and amazingly functional in movement.

[@torist043]

Please make a big version, that idea sounds really cool!

[@fredrickbartholomewesquire6405]

This little robot is fantastic! So cool to watch it work!

[@Mrcaffinebean]

Probably has the most personality of any robot you have built in a long time. Very cool!

[@Paul-rs4gd]

I wasn't convinced until I saw it on real obstacles - it works really impressively ! I noticed that the front and back segments often got grounded though. I think the wheels on the front and back segments should be moved so that they stick out beyond the end of the frame. You could just add a bolt-on extension to the existing segment modules that has a mount for wheels, and links them to the original wheel drive with a belt (hope you can picture that !)

[@jannerbreeze-crow1459]

I know you have built far more technical things than this, but this is so satisfying and one of the coolest I think. I dunno, a really goos combo of a simple idea well executed! Fantastic.

[@CharlesVanNoland]

Im glad that you figured out to increase the leverage on there to allow for tighter turning radii and whatnot but larger wheels would've made the obstacles less cumbersome to traverse.

[@DanielSimu]

This is great, one of your best designs so far I think!

[@Temperans]

Nice design, and 1 way to help with the bending is being able to shift the weight around a bit. That migh enable it to balance somewhat better as the segments shift around.

[@sgavy]

I really envy your creativity and work ethic! The pace at which you innovate and prototype is shocking, not to mention video, edit and upload!

[@AnimilesYT]

This is so weird and quirky that I can't help but love it! I got an idea for maybe a future version. It would be cool to see bending with the use of soft robotics. If you don't know what soft robotics means; soft robotics are basically robots that move without electronics in the places where it moves. This can be done through differences in air pressure in different soft tubes. There are some really cool videos on KZbin about them if you want to know more. It really makes you rethink how robots can move 😃

[@kossovian6215]

How about a standardised set of fixed-down obstacles so you can compare your robots? I think the loose bits of wood aren't that representative of what a scaled-up version would encounter. A lot of the difficulty the robot has is due to the planks moving and sliding over each other, but I doubt you would attempt to drive your quad-bike sized robot over tree-sized bits of lumber stacked like that.

[@derektoy4444]

This is awesome! I would love to see it with more segments and do a snake type pattern instead of just bending in the middle! So cool!

[@rexabillion]

Ride on version sounds like a good collab with Mr Furze

[@jamesbruton]

I do actually own a welder and a CNC machine, I just need more space...

[@Alluklappleiter]

@@jamesbruton maybe for the steering he has some hydraulics

[@amazinghistoryofvlogging6894]

Definitely the best Robot of the year so far.

[@adamsmallcomb8980]

I often see your projects and think 'well that was interesting but not very practical' - this one is interesting...and I want to see where you go with this. Awesome project!

[@earthlingn]

I imagine enough force feedback could let individual segments move/flow naturally like an animal. Wheels getting traction or spinning freely? Adjust. All forces concentrated in one hot spot where it's stuck? Flex away. Etc.

[@josiahmitchell530]

Probably one of my favorites that you have made. Awesome job! Cool concept!

[@stoatystoat174]

Delighted with the simplicity of the flexable movement. I would never have thought to do side to side and up and down with one mechanism! I wander if bigger wheels could make the furthest forward and most rear part of the robot to be the wheels. Would maybe increase its climbing ability (especially with a smooth belly too) hope you carry on with these types and make em bigger, Maud'dib

[@CrudeButEfficient]

Sweet! Feels like a severely upgraded version of the 18-wheeler caterpillar RC truck I had as a kid. You do so much test driving over stuff, that you need some branded boxes and stuff, perhaps even with sponsor logos?

[@deanallenjones]

I was going to say about the catapiller truck! Mine wasn't RC though, it just went in a straight line. James would have loved the mid 80's . Do many bizarre toy trucks and cars like the catapiller and FLEX . Hmm maybe there's an idea of a series for him. Totally agree about branded obstacles. It would also give thr tests standardisation

[@CrudeButEfficient]

@@deanallenjones Now that you say it, I remember that mine was wire controlled as well, and no steering. I wouldn't even dare to dream of these levels of maneuverability!

[@deanallenjones]

@@CrudeButEfficient I had a brain itch I had to scratch. After some digging about I found the truck I had was the Galoob 16 wheel comander. There was a 32 wheel version. these now goes for HUNDREDS on e-bay. Tomy toys also did a 16 wheel "Monster" but I had the comander as in this clip :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/p4rGaIFtecd4rZo

[@CrudeButEfficient]

@@deanallenjones Toy nostalgia is a easy rabbit hole to go down. 😁 I'm pretty sure I had the Tomy 16 wheeler version. Might be the first electric toy I disassembled without getting it properly back together...

[@davidlong2691]

seems like the vertical flexion/extension you use to go over the obstacles could benefit from feedback dithering, minor back and forth actuation "noise" while climbing. Basically by making it wiggle vertically while moving forward you were able to get better traction because it exposed the wheel treads to new grip surfaces and allowed it to release any 2x4 debris that might have otherwise been caught between close-together wheels.

[@MrDoggss1969]

Make the wheels a bit taller for ground clearance and better approach/departure angle, and wider for stability. This is awesome, and super effective design! :D

[@jasonhendricks4802]

Please make this longer! Double the length and this thing could climb up stairs!

[@aytunch]

When the robot is in the vertical "U" shape and it is tilted, if you can make the back tire touch ground instead of the back electronics touching ground, it would work much efficient. You can get more clearance for the tires by increasing diameter of them or offset them lower more.

[@christianthomsen3855]

Segmented steering on each segment could also enable you to work it like an eel or snake, moving only by sideways wave-like undulations. It wouldn't require driving wheels, only a servo between each segment.

[@kellydon2294]

Awesome! I'd like to see you replace the wheels with tracks on each individual section as long as they can be without rubbing each other. Your idea to have the wheels (in my idea tracks|) follow each other is absolutely necessary to prevent premature (Wheel/track) wear but being able to still operate your robot in (Worm mode) with the ability to move sideways is also a must!

[@Charlie-Em]

I love homeboy's robots. His videos constantly inspire ideas in me.

[@tinkeringstuffs6542]

Awesome Projekt you have tried quiet a few things by now but this one is really something I like that a lot!

[@colsoyeti1]

Hi James, another great project to inspire all who may wish to replicate your builds. Time to order some more pla for the weekend, thanks and keep them coming.

[@beakz]

This is a very clever design! Nicely done, James.

[@joshuawebb6730]

This is a really cool design, I like it a lot.

[@-_IT_-]

I think is one has to be my favorite of all of the bots I have seen you made.

[@JulGS]

I seems to work surprisingly well and the idea behinds it is so simple that makes it a really good idea.

[@Binary_Omlet]

This looks like it's so much fun to drive around! Great job again!

[@judgeomega]

your productivity and ingenuity are astounding. thank you for your amazing content

[@free.president]

Very cool robot! Nice work! I like the engineering

[@VinokDesign]

amazing james! so fun to look at

[@kelvinjaramillo8007]

this robot is really good... looks like has a lot of potential!!

[@Stoneman06660]

This is an excellent robot, James. Very satisfying to watch in action. I wonder if these sorts of robots would benefit from lowering the wheels relative to the frame which may increase the centre of gravity, but keep the joints and undercarriage further from the ground which seems to be the most frequent sticking point?

[@Tailslol]

i feel like a bit bigger wheels will definitively help. great project

[@beckster181]

Just a couple of ideas i thought of: a) if the wheels where of a larger diameter this would help with the overall ground clearance and this would help with the lifting and climbing abilities, b) would it help with the wieght transver to the rear when climbing if you made a couple of unpowered sections to put in the middle so the weight would be more seperated so when you lift the front this might allow the weight at the rear to keep it in contact with the ground while maybe lifting both the front powered sections, this one i havent given as much thought to as the larger wheels one as there is the centre of gravity to think of and the amount you need to offset the weight of the front sections by adding some weight to the rear to make it a bit heavier than the front which would be vital to make the extra lift possible . The other draw back of this second idea is that while it would make frontal climbing better it would remove the possibility to climb in reverse unless the weight that was used to ovvset the C of G was able to be moved so you could shift the C of G in both a rearward and foward direction to effect climb ability in both directions.

[@Uncledaz]

Any reason why the wheels are so small? Larger wheels, esp on the front, seem like they would improve performance while keeping the clearance.

[@jeffstation70]

That's a really fun creature you've designed there. With a bit more development you could sell that as a toy!

[@ZeroPointAlpha]

3:52 - Congratulations, you've created a side-winder! :D

[@LimabeanStudios]

I love the way it "reaches". Really looks like a caterpillar

[@joaomrtins]

This one is very simple an works really well. Impressive.

[@AlRoderick]

If you scale it up and transverse-mount the motors you could make the wheels big enough that it could run flipped over (not practical for a rideable version of course). You could also mount a deck on the back and make a snakeboard, add some load cells and make it responsive to the rider's weight shifts to control the bending.

[@j1952d]

Moves more like a centipede, or maybe a caterpillar! Also, "sideways walk" would be great for parallel parking.

[@alexclarke]

That looks really promising! Like some other commenters I'd suggest adding one more segment since you ought to be able to lift up the front two sections then. I also wonder if RC car style wheels and suspension on each section would help.

[@adman1091]

That's cool! Now double the segments

[@arandomfox999]

One way to improve it significantly is to simply move the front and back wheels as much forwards and as far backwards as you can respectively. That would avoid many situations where the front or back gets stuck by being grounded.

[@jarkkoaitti287]

or make every wheel so big they almost touch (needs space to turn). also move both batteries as back and as low as possible, servos and motors too (wonder if this could be scaled so that they would fit horizontaly). maybe a bit wider too? also make it go forward (or backward) while doing that side snakeish movement!

[@bowieinc]

Fantastic:) can you imagine enough sections to where it can ball up in a complete circle, roll down a hill then spring open to jump a large gap!