Modular, shape-shifting robots get right back up to creep you out
We've seen a number of modular, reassembling robots already, but that doesn't make 'em any less unnerving, especially when we see them doing their thing on video. As you can see for yourself after the break, this latest batch of bots from the University of Pennsylvania seem to be capable enough, with them able to be kicked apart and find their way back together again, albeit somewhat slowly. That's done with the aid of a camera that seeks out the unique blinkin' lights of another robot, which it is able to dock with using some magnets and then start the search for another bot all over again, eventually forming into a slightly unstable walking robot (be sure to stick with video 'till the end for that).
[Via Futurismic]
[Via Futurismic]
Filed under: Robots
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Mr.Tech @ Apr 29th 2008 2:14PM
The replicators from Stargate SG-1!!!
Low Ranked @ Apr 29th 2008 2:16PM
This video reeks of stop-motion.
Brad @ Apr 29th 2008 3:13PM
Naw, I worked with this guy (Mark Yim) back when he was at Xerox PARC. He speeds up the video a bit because it is horribly slow to watch all the little alignment processes take place.
I think he was on the cover of Wired at one point, with a bunch of these little cube guys configured into legs to ride a bike.
robogeek @ Apr 29th 2008 2:18PM
Awesome.
I for one wel.... nope I will not do it.
Kamokazi @ Apr 29th 2008 3:12PM
But I will:
"I, for one, welcome our modular, shape-shifting, robotic overlords."
The Cadet @ Apr 30th 2008 1:06AM
Holy F***
So, i will start a list of quotes we all hate here, feel free to add on:
If anyone actually types these from now on (and i notice) i will add under the comment "(insert name) is a dickhead.
1. I, for one, welcome our (Insert text), (Insert text), (Insert text) overlords.
2. Will it play doom?
3. Will it blend?
4. Will i cut myself everytime i read one of these comments? Yes, yes i will.
ugg.tryptophan @ Apr 30th 2008 1:33AM
will it blend?... there now cut yourself Cadet, and remember across the street not down the road
ugg.tryptophan @ Apr 30th 2008 1:33AM
will it blend?... there now cut yourself Cadet, and remember across the street not down the road
darkstar @ Apr 29th 2008 2:19PM
i aint scare.
not till they're armed with frickin lasers....
ED @ Apr 29th 2008 7:15PM
Lasers? Self-replicating machines don't need lasers to kill you painfully.
Quick, someone grab a P90 before they form a queen!
Ill Beback @ Apr 29th 2008 2:19PM
T-2 prototype?
crho85 @ Apr 29th 2008 3:01PM
I know, seriously didn't we learn anything from the Terminator series!
christopheraven @ Apr 29th 2008 2:22PM
"after successful self reassembly, the system stands up and continues its task."
... of falling over.
Wwhat @ Apr 29th 2008 3:15PM
Designed to be the leaders of tomorrow?
The Cadet @ Apr 30th 2008 1:07AM
I had a nice LOL after those comments.
+1 to each of you.
SimonRichards @ Apr 29th 2008 2:23PM
hahahahahhahah it fell over :P
Still pretty good :D
Lame Reply @ Apr 29th 2008 3:02PM
Hey!
Chop off my legs and let ne put them back on and I can pretty much guarantee I'll fall over if I try to stand up, too!
Low Ranked @ Apr 29th 2008 3:03PM
You're right about one thing; that was a pretty lame reply...
joe23521 @ Apr 29th 2008 2:30PM
If it weren't for the ending, it'd for sure give me nightmares.
HaloZero00 @ Apr 29th 2008 2:41PM
I'm pretty sure I can kick them down again in the 3 minutes it took them to get back together.
LarryLarryLarry @ Apr 29th 2008 5:17PM
It was more like 14 minutes with the video speed-up. Welcome our robotic underlords.
Jeff @ Apr 29th 2008 5:56PM
will you be able to kick them ALL down when you're surrounded by thousands of 'em?
:P
The Cadet @ Apr 30th 2008 1:16AM
Probably...
bw @ Apr 30th 2008 1:29AM
laugh while you can.. :)
Insert Name Here @ Apr 29th 2008 2:45PM
Whew!!!! At least at that speed they won't be taking over humanity any time soon...
Tom @ Apr 29th 2008 2:54PM
I've seen these things in action. They do work as advertised. However, as people have said above, reassembly is a bit slow. Nevertheless, when you're in space (which is one of the primary applications of these), speed is not much of an issue. Instead, you become more concerned with flexibility of design and ability to self-repair as when a robot is broken on Mars, you're not fixing it.
Bender Bending Rodriguez @ Apr 29th 2008 3:12PM
This is quite impressive for a prototype design. They encompass many aspect of robotics that have been difficult, and they do it as a singular unit or a whole. There are so many possibilities here.
Justin @ Apr 29th 2008 2:57PM
I've seen the future and its name is Devastator.
whatishalo? @ Apr 29th 2008 3:04PM
Nothing like drunk-robo-pieces
Rocketboy @ Apr 29th 2008 3:09PM
Kick it! Kick It! KICK IT!
KICK IT AGAIN!
That was cool...
brian K @ Apr 29th 2008 3:16PM
Wow, looks like a precursor for creating the Iron Giant...
Dave @ Apr 29th 2008 3:24PM
And possibly also a precursor for self-assembling nanomachines...
spacegravity4me @ Apr 29th 2008 3:26PM
"The inhabitants of zero one went out in all directions... but then they fell over."
Podaman @ Apr 29th 2008 3:27PM
Q: Why doesnt it become a bomb or something to get me?
A: It cant form complex machines, guns and explosives have chemicals, moving parts, it doesn't work that way, but it can form solid cube-like shapes.
Q: Like what?
A: Tetris pieces and rubix cubes.
Laron @ Apr 29th 2008 3:48PM
"Fatal stabbing today, in downtown Los Angeles, victim was killed by what looked like an L-shaped tetris piece..."
The Cadet @ Apr 30th 2008 1:09AM
ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha.
Ooops, i just pee'd a little
Chad @ Apr 29th 2008 3:45PM
The Holy Grail might have turned out completely different had King Arthur been fighting this thing to cross the bridge.
Arthur:"I've cut your arm off!"
Modular, shape-shifting robot:"No you haven't"
arm reattaches and slays Arthur
Knights: "RUN AWAY....RUN AWAY....."
Kryz @ Apr 29th 2008 4:03PM
I would go for something more like this:
King Arthur: "Look you stupid b'stard, you've got no arms left!"
Black Bot: "Yes I have!"
King Arthur: "Look!"
Black Bot: "Just a mesh wound." *kick*
CL @ Apr 29th 2008 4:04PM
must.kill.john.connor.
Fall-Apart @ Apr 29th 2008 4:33PM
Is there any reason this has to be done with visible light, or could they transmit the communications/instructions/orientation via radio?
pfromg @ Apr 29th 2008 8:15PM
stop trying to sound clever.
Ben @ Apr 29th 2008 4:43PM
Yeah, determining it's proximity by signal strength or something. Or maybe even just using IR instead of visible light.
BTW, the video doesn't seem to be working anymore, anyone else having problems?
Zoli @ Apr 29th 2008 4:49PM
Reminds me of the Iron Giant.
LaCoHa @ Apr 29th 2008 4:53PM
That video owes me 3 minutes of life.
John @ Apr 29th 2008 10:26PM
LOL! That's the funniest thing I've read all week!
crhennen @ Apr 29th 2008 5:11PM
Borg Cubes.
ant @ Apr 30th 2008 2:10PM
Not Borg, replicators dewd.Huge and very slow replicators.
Where's Thor when you need him?
Lea Hernandez @ Apr 29th 2008 5:46PM
"Ho...garth...Sooooperman."
Daniel @ Apr 29th 2008 6:33PM
now we wait for the allspark
MG @ Apr 30th 2008 12:39PM
allspark + this technology = beast wars