The brain is full of fluid

To avoid hard parts, the Octobot is controlled by a liquid circuit instead of an electronic one. Two circuits control four arms each, taking turns to move them.

First circuit activated

1 The fuel stores are flexible and filled with hydrogen peroxide. The pressure in one store (red) forces the liquid into the “red” circuit.

2 The liquid pressure in the circuit blocks the other circuit (blue) with a pinch valve, as the fuel passes through another valve.

3 In the reaction chamber, the hydrogen peroxide reacts with platinum, producing oxygen and water vapour, that is forced into four arms to move them.

Second circuit

4 When the pressure is reduced in the “red” circuit, liquid flows from the second fuel store (blue) into the blue circuit, and the process is repeated to move the other four arms.