40-year-old Y-zipper patent revived by 3D printing, now tested on quadruped robots
viksit · x · 2026-08-30
A structure called the Y-zipper was patented over 40 years ago: it can switch between flexible and rigid without motors or moving parts. But manufacturing limits kept the idea on the shelf for decades.
3D printing has finally solved that. Teams are already testing it on quadruped robots — legs stiffen on asphalt and soften on rough terrain with zero added motors. The same logic could apply to splints adapting to swelling, or tents that shift between rigid and flexible as needed.
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