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Modular Robots

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the which-module-plays-tony-hawk-3 dept.

levin writes "An article in the latest issue of IEEE spectrum discusses modular robots--robots made of small, identical components or modules. These robots can slither, roll like a tank tread, inchworm, or crawl like a spider. The idea is that modular robots will be not only cheaper to build because the modules are all the same, but will be more able to repair themselves (by shedding damaged modules). Even cooler, each of the 5cm cube modules in Xerox PARC's polybot sports its own PowerPC 555 and 1mb ram."

9 of 130 comments (clear)

  1. Special by sysrequest · · Score: 2, Funny

    I can't wait until these things get mass-produced and more intelligent.

    Soon we'll have to hunt robot mosquitos and spiders with the fly swatter -- or possibly with a hammer if these damn things keep repairing themselves.

  2. Did somebody find... by Em+Emalb · · Score: 2, Funny

    an interest in robots or something? This is like the 50th story today on robots. Ok, second, but still.

    Quick breakdwn of robot topics lately:

    microscopic robots
    tiny robots that can move in different ways
    robots designed to kill other robots
    as well as the 3 or 4 AI articles, and a few others I didn't bother to read.

    Maybe....

    News for Scientists, Stuff for Robots?

    ok, this comment was posted in jest, so don't get your robots in a wad.

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    Sent from your iPad.
  3. Cyberdyne Systems by ipxodi · · Score: 3, Funny

    >>Modular reconfigurable robots are built up from tens to hundreds, and potentially millions, of modules.
    Millions of modules? Like molecules? Can you say "liquid metal alloy?"

    Damn, I hope the company doesn't start calling itself "Cyberdyne".....

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    load "windows7" ,8,1
  4. Ack! Replicators! by RandomCoil · · Score: 5, Funny

    I don't think making these things is such a good idea. TV has taught us that they will eventually take over a Russian submarine and almost destroy Thor's home world.

    What, you didn't see "Small Victories" from the fourth season of Stargate SG1?

  5. Frightening possibilities... by stokes · · Score: 4, Funny

    Consider first that the CPU in these machines is of the same family as a Power Macintosh. Then consider the jointed arm that the latest iMac employs to support the screen. I can see a future model of Mac that not only smiles at you when you boot it up, but tries to hug you as well.

    1. Re:Frightening possibilities... by Daemonik · · Score: 1, Funny

      One step closer to virtual computer sex, babyyyy!!!

  6. 1mb of RAM? by Daemonik · · Score: 3, Funny

    Hrmmm, interesting. They can program a module that's self aware, knows when a module connected to it is damaged and is capable of repairing that module. Plus fulfilling it's mission requirements, and all in 1mb of RAM.....

    So why does my PC need 128mb just to type a Word document without crashing?

  7. But when... by sharkey · · Score: 2, Funny

    Are we going to get Constructicons? I want Devastator to do my bidding!

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    "Outlook not so good." That magic 8-ball knows everything! I'll ask about Exchange Server next.
  8. Re:Can you imagine... by DohDamit · · Score: 2, Funny

    Holy shit...is there a video game like this? For console or PC, I'd pick it up in a second. :^)