Badger, a robot capable of digging tunnels and 3D printing conduits

Within the framework of the Horizon 2020 program of the European Union, two universities of the stature of the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid and Glasgow University as well as different research and development centers attached to the project such as the “Robotnik Automation SLL" or the "Georadar IDS”, They are working on a project where they seek to design a autonomous robot capable of digging tunnels while 3D printing all types of conduits that must be installed in it.

As a detail, tell you that this specific project has been financed with nothing less than 3.7 millones de euros, an economic amount that their managers will receive during the next three years. To understand a little better what is expected of it, tell you that its creators define it as:

An automated robot capable of excavating, manipulating, creating maps and moving around the ground that will be equipped with everything necessary to be able, while working, to manufacture both horizontal and vertical pipes and conduits.

The Badger project seeks to design and manufacture an autonomous robot capable of digging tunnels and manufacturing all the necessary conduits that, until now, were installed later

Badger is a much more complex project than we can imagine since it must be capable of digging winding tunnel networks using visualization tools and even 3D subway maps. As you can see in the image that is located just above these lines, the structure of the robot will be as simple as installing a drilling head at the front and a specific 3D printing machine at the rear.

In addition to the fact that the rear part has been equipped with a 3D printer, this area also has a second function that is none other than to cling to the walls of the tunnel to be able, with a movement more like a worm, of pushing to the front and putting pressure so you can keep digging.