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Towards enduring autonomous robots via embodied energy

Nature volume 602, pages 393–402 (2022)Cite this article

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Abstract

Autonomous robots comprise actuation, energy, sensory and control systems built from materials and structures that are not necessarily designed and integrated for multifunctionality. Yet, animals and other organisms that robots strive to emulate contain highly sophisticated and interconnected systems at all organizational levels, which allow multiple functions to be performed simultaneously. Herein, we examine how system integration and multifunctionality in nature inspires a new paradigm for autonomous robots that we call Embodied Energy. Whereas most untethered robots use batteries to store energy and power their operation, recent advancements in energy-storage techniques enable chemical or electrical energy sources to be embodied directly within the structures and materials used to create robots, rather than requiring separate battery packs. This perspective highlights emerging examples of Embodied Energy in the context of developing autonomous robots.

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Fig. 1: Energy, control and actuating systems in modern robots.
Fig. 2: Energy storage and transduction form the framework of the Embodied Energy design process.
Fig. 3: Multifunctional Ragone plot of Embodied Energy storage and energy transducer combinations.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank the Office of Naval Research, grant no. N00014-20-1-2438, Air Force Office of Scientific Research, grant no. FA9550-20-1-0254, and the National Science Foundation, grant no. EFMA-1830924.

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Author notes

  1. These authors contributed equally: Cameron A. Aubin, Jennifer A. Lewis, Robert F. Shepherd

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Sibley School of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA

    Cameron A. Aubin & Robert F. Shepherd

  2. John A. Paulson School of Engineering & Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA

    Benjamin Gorissen & Jennifer A. Lewis

  3. Department of Mechanical Engineering, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium

    Benjamin Gorissen & Edoardo Milana

  4. Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH, USA

    Philip R. Buskohl

  5. Energy and Biotechnology Division, Army Research Laboratory, Adelphi, MD, USA

    Nathan Lazarus

  6. Autonomous Systems Division, Army Research Laboratory, Adelphi, MD, USA

    Geoffrey A. Slipher

  7. Robotic Materials Department, Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, Stuttgart, Germany

    Christoph Keplinger

  8. Department of Computer Science, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA

    Josh Bongard

  9. Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK

    Fumiya Iida

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Contributions

R.F.S. and J.A.L. conceived of the concept. C.A.A., J.A.L. and R.F.S. drafted key elements of the manuscript. C.A.A. researched, collected and analysed data. C.A.A., B.G. and E.M. drafted figures. P.R.B., N.L., G.A.S., C.K., J.B. and F.I. assisted in editing and refining the vision.

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Correspondence to Robert F. Shepherd.

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Extended data figures and tables

Extended Data Table 1 Energy density and power density of common energy storage and actuator technologies
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Aubin, C.A., Gorissen, B., Milana, E. et al. Towards enduring autonomous robots via embodied energy. Nature 602, 393–402 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-021-04138-2

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