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Mini Origami Robot That Self-Folds, Walks, Swims, Digs, Carries Loads, Climbs And Dissolves Into Nothing

A new micro-machine created by scientists from MIT and TU Munich is able to self-assemble, walk on various surfaces, swim, carry items, and climb slopes. The machine weighs just 0.31 g and 1.6 cm on a side, is made of PVC and tiny magnets, and can even be dissolved in acetone.

The self-assembly and propulsion are accomplished in clever ways. A PVC sheet is laser cut with structural layers that cause the sheet to fold around its tiny magnet in just a few minute’s time when placed on a heating element. Movement is achieved by pulsing electromagnetic coils placed near the machine to stimulate its magnet.

“An Untethered Miniature Origami Robot That Self-folds, Walks, Swims, and Degrades” has been in development since 2012 and was debuted recently at the IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation in Seattle, USA.

More info: ieee.org (h/t: laughingsquid)

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What do you think ?

POST

PeggyWestmoreland 9 years ago

The movement are very insect-like. I don't understand why it is important to mentioned that it dissolves in acetone, most things are destroyed by acid.

5points

TeresaNi 8 years ago

Reminds me of the tiny black robots in Big Hero 6.

2points

PedroPabloSanteroQuintillá 9 years ago

wow!...A really worked and detailed joke

1point

Cocoa 9 years ago

It's like the ones from big hero 6!

1point

PedroPabloSanteroQuintillá 9 years ago

wow!...A really worked and detailed joke.

0points

TeaBerries 9 years ago

Are you thinking what I'm thinking... DOD is going to be giving you a call. lol

0points

SusannaVesna 9 years ago

My cat wants to order one!

0points

captaingrumpy 9 years ago

Whatever caused a man to even think about this let alone try to do it and succeed. Well done

0points

karenza 9 years ago

what the world needs now to solve everything

0points

TravelingRockhopper 9 years ago

impressive!

0points

witono 9 years ago

Definitely amazing at first look. However realised that how it works relies heavily on external inputs means the application will be very limited. Still worth further investigation.

0points

RichardPetch 9 years ago

I could do with some of these injecting into my veins to clean all the gunge out of them.

0points

Martin 9 years ago

Soon to be a spy device used by the NSA... thanks NSA for ruining everything!

-2points

RoseanneJames 9 years ago

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PetarVojinovic 9 years ago

What the serious fck are you talking about?!

5points

Load More Replies...

POST

PeggyWestmoreland 9 years ago

The movement are very insect-like. I don't understand why it is important to mentioned that it dissolves in acetone, most things are destroyed by acid.

5points

TeresaNi 8 years ago

Reminds me of the tiny black robots in Big Hero 6.

2points

PedroPabloSanteroQuintillá 9 years ago

wow!...A really worked and detailed joke

1point

Cocoa 9 years ago

It's like the ones from big hero 6!

1point

PedroPabloSanteroQuintillá 9 years ago

wow!...A really worked and detailed joke.

0points

TeaBerries 9 years ago

Are you thinking what I'm thinking... DOD is going to be giving you a call. lol

0points

SusannaVesna 9 years ago

My cat wants to order one!

0points

captaingrumpy 9 years ago

Whatever caused a man to even think about this let alone try to do it and succeed. Well done

0points

karenza 9 years ago

what the world needs now to solve everything

0points

TravelingRockhopper 9 years ago

impressive!

0points

witono 9 years ago

Definitely amazing at first look. However realised that how it works relies heavily on external inputs means the application will be very limited. Still worth further investigation.

0points