Biomimetic Mole-bot set to drill in complex environments

Developed at KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology), the 25kg Mole-bot is proposed as tool for space exploration and mining for resources such as coalbed methane and Rare Earth Elements, which require highly advanced drilling technologies.

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“The crushing power of the African mole-rat’s teeth is so powerful that they can dig a hole with 48 times more power than their body weight. We used this characteristic for building the main excavation tool. And its expandable drill is designed not to collide with its forelimbs,” said Prof Hyun Myung from KAIST’s School of Electrical Engineering.

According to KAIST, the 25cm wide and 84cm long Mole-bot can excavate three times faster with six times higher directional accuracy than conventional models.

After digging, the robot removes the excavated soil and debris using its forelimbs. This embedded muscle feature, inspired by the European mole’s scapula, converts linear motion into a powerful rotational force. For directional drilling, the robot’s elongated waist changes its direction 360° like living mammals.