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Researchers Begin Work on Building Real Life (Microscopic) Transformers
Posted by Haroon Malik at 1:00 AM on February 4, 2008
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have begun work on creating tiny groups of robots that utilise electromagnetic forces to alter their shape and function. Ultimately, the team hopes to build a large number of microscopic robots that are able to metamorphose into any conceivable shape. This would be done by applying a charge to the nanobots, which would form different structures based on how, or where, that charge is applied. The concept is not too dissimilar to the material that was shown to be used for Batman's cape in Batman Begins. That similarity makes this research instantly awesome.
The team are quick to point out that their ideas are far from reaching fruition, and up to this point they are relying on simulations to form strategies that can be used for such shape-changing, or "claytronic," robots. The pocket-sized prototypes they are experimenting with are able to use electromagnetic forces to manoeuvre, communicate and share power. If you haven't already, check out the video above to see a simulation of what the overall concept will be able to do, as well as some footage of the prototypes in action. If that was not enough to keep you entertained, there is even a dorky-sounding narrator to guide you along the way. Gosh, you guys are spoiled. [New Scientist via Newlaunches]
Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
There are currently no AU comments for this post.
Rattierevolution
Posted 2:22 AM 4/2/08
AHHHH IT'S THE REPLICATORS!!!
...I miss sg-1...
Rattierevolution
bbfreak
Posted 2:22 AM 4/2/08
or rather central brain like in Irobot, that was swarm robotics... MAHAHAHA!
bbfreak
bbfreak
Posted 2:22 AM 4/2/08
Holy batman! Then somebody decides to give them a brain and we're all dooooooooooooomed!
bbfreak
strider_mt2k
Posted 2:22 AM 4/2/08
Billy Barty that's small!
strider_mt2k
rimplestultskin
Posted 3:22 AM 4/2/08
who decided that a CTS would be a good transformer?
this is cool stuff, use a car that isn't lamesauce on a stick to demonstrate it.
rimplestultskin
Hvedhrungr
Posted 3:22 AM 4/2/08
More than meets the eye?
Hvedhrungr
sqeakytoy of the apocalypse
Posted 3:22 AM 4/2/08
@strider_mt2k: Sorry Strider, he's no Milton Berle.....
sqeakytoy of the apocalypse
OneFingerSalute
Posted 5:22 AM 4/2/08
@strider_mt2k: Should I even ask why you keep tabs on geriatric celebrity wang sizes? Never mind, I probably don't want to know.
PS: don't pick on little people, Barty may turn out to have been a tripod for all we know. That is, unless you have some antique photographic evidence midget pr0n to offer up and settle the record once and for all o.0
OneFingerSalute
Pinguin
Posted 5:22 AM 4/2/08
*Finally
Pinguin
Pinguin
Posted 5:22 AM 4/2/08
Fianlly I'll have my Crysis Suit!
Pinguin
Reilaos, Putting the 'Fun' in Dysfunction!
Posted 5:22 AM 4/2/08
This is pretty neat. How sturdy would something like this be, though? (would poking it dent it easily?)
Reilaos, Putting the 'Fun' in Dysfunction!
Technogen
Posted 5:22 AM 4/2/08
[en.wikipedia.org] Utility fog
Technogen
strider_mt2k
Posted 6:22 AM 4/2/08
@OneFingerSalute: Me thinks ye doth protest too much.
strider_mt2k
faust1200
Posted 7:22 AM 4/2/08
Observing from the video the actual level this research is at now I estimate we should have a finished product in about infinity + 100.
faust1200
s1pacrat
Posted 8:22 AM 4/2/08
Nanobots... like in Prey!
*runs away*
s1pacrat
ElectronicVibe
Posted 10:23 AM 4/2/08
Replicators / Alterans......not too far off into the future. Rape via sex powder...
ElectronicVibe
citizen024
Posted 10:23 AM 4/2/08
With all the Stargate and 4400 episodes i watched, this gives me a deep feeling of discomfort of having nanoids take over my body and replace my cells with themselves.
The end of humanity is approaching. Combined with the facts from "the day after tomorrow" we are indeed doomed.
citizen024
reddingofish
Posted 10:23 AM 4/2/08
Haven't we learned anything from Sci Fi?
reddingofish
cyberbill
Posted 2:23 AM 5/2/08
I love technology! I'm just scared as hell what the wrong people do with it. Not to mention the replicators that will take over the universe. Why do I keep getting these headaches... it's like there's someone's fist in my head or something. Oh... damn.
cyberbill
uberfu
Posted 8:24 AM 5/2/08
Forget microscopic - i want a full life sized one thhat works_
uberfu