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BENotice how BB-8 returns to the same spot but ends up facing a different direction? That’s not movie magic, it’s physics in action.
This phenomenon is called holonomy, where an object returns to its original position but with a changed orientation. Researchers led by Professor Oliver O’Reilly and Ph.D. student Theresa Honein are exploring how this phenomenon can help spherical robots like BB-8 navigate complex terrain on distant planets.
Their work brought a realistic BB-8 build (by makers Psy DeLacy and Chris Stroud) to campus last year, and you can see the beloved robot rolling through the hallways of Etcheverry!
Learn more: bit.ly/42GhvdC
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