No Electronics, No Problem – This $20 3D-Printed Robot Walks With Air

Scientists at UC San Diego have just 3D-printed something pretty incredible—a six-legged walking robot that doesn’t need electronics, wires, or even a complex assembly process.

This robot is powered entirely by air. That’s right—just soft, flexible materials, a single 3D-printing process, and a cartridge of compressed gas. The result? A robot that can literally walk straight off the printer.

Each leg has four degrees of freedom, coordinated by a clever pneumatic circuit—kind of like a mini steam engine system. It moves in a smooth, alternating rhythm, walking in a straight line for up to three days… as long as you keep the air flowing.

And the price tag? Just $20. That’s less than a round of coffees—and this one doesn’t even need charging.

These air-powered bots are perfect for extreme environments, like disaster zones or even space—places where electronics tend to struggle. The future? Researchers are looking at adding grippers, using biodegradable materials, and integrating gas storage directly into the robot.

A simple design, a big step for robotics—powered by nothing but air and innovation.

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