SMORES / SMORES-EP

Not for sale

Not for sale (research)Not programmableSelf-reconfiguringMobile modulesScience RoboticsUPenn

Not for saleShipping: N/A.

Remote control: Not possible. Research hardware.

LEARN MORE (ModLab SMORES) ↗

Overview

Self-assembling MOdular Robot for Extreme Shapeshifting: 4-DOF cube modules that can drive on their own, dock with each other and rearrange into lattice, chain or mobile configurations. The later SMORES-EP system used electro-permanent magnets and a library of shapes so the robot could autonomously pick a new shape when its current one could not complete a task. A key demonstration of task-driven self-reconfiguration.

Type: Modular robot · Research & self-reconfiguring
Maker: UPenn ModLab (with Cornell) (USA)
Released: 2012
Price: Not for sale
Status: Not for sale (research)
Best for: Professionals & labs
Programming: No programmability

Price and shipping

Research modules. ~$300 parts cost per original SMORES module. SMORES-EP (electro-permanent magnet connectors) featured in Science Robotics, 2018.

Shipping: N/A. Lab research project. Not for sale.

Specifications

Category	Modular & reconfigurable · Research & self-reconfiguring
Released	2012
Country	USA
Availability	Not for sale (research)
Sales	2 prototype SMORES modules built (2012) UPenn ModLab ↗
Programmability	No programmability
Built-in autonomy	Task-level · Carries out multi-step jobs on its own, such as inspections, deliveries or chores
LLM support	None · No built-in LLM and no SDK to connect one.
Best for	Professionals & labs
Vision sensors	Camera
Actuators	DC / gear motors
Audio	No audio
Compute type	Arduino / ESP32 / microcontroller, Laptop / PC as the brain
Remote control	Not programmable
Size	100 × 100 × 90 mm, 0.52 kg per module (original SMORES)
Locomotion	Each module has two wheels plus pan and tilt joints, modules drive independently and dock into chains or lattices
Compute	Per-module controller, offboard planning
Camera	External/perception module in SMORES-EP demos
Sensors	Not published per module
Runtime	Not published
Speed	1.1 body lengths/s (original module)
SDK	None public

Common questions

How much does SMORES / SMORES-EP cost?

Not for sale. Research modules. ~$300 parts cost per original SMORES module. SMORES-EP (electro-permanent magnet connectors) featured in Science Robotics, 2018.