Ivy Wire
Ivy Wire
This project develops a soft robotic vine system for installing cables through long and complex conduit paths. Instead of pulling cables, which creates high friction and risk of damage, the robot uses a pressure driven eversion mechanism to grow forward from its tip, enabling smooth navigation through bends and confined spaces.
The system integrates a strong fire hose based vine body with externally mounted cables and a custom pressure vessel for controlled deployment. Testing focused on pressure requirements, sealing reliability, and cable interaction, resulting in a robust and repeatable deployment system.
Sponsored by Northrop Grumman, this project presents a scalable and efficient solution for autonomous cable installation in future space infrastructure.