Robotic Nanotech Swarms on Mars... in 2034

Posted by timothy on Wednesday March 30, 2005 @03:06PM from the that's-when-they'll-fake-it-at-least dept.

Roland Piquepaille writes "NASA is testing a shape-shifting robot called 'TETwalker' for tetrahedral walker, because it looks like a flexible pyramid. It has been tested in the lab and at the McMurdo station in Antarctica to test it under conditions more like those on Mars. Now, it is on the way to be -- really -- miniaturized by using micro- and nano-electro-mechanical systems. These robots will eventually join together to form 'autonomous nanotechnology swarms' (ANTS). When it's done, in about thirty years, these nanotech swarms will 'alter their shape to flow over rocky terrain or to create useful structures like communications antennae and solar sails.' So in 2034, nanotechnology will land on Mars. Read more for other details and references about the TETwalker and the ANTS project."

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Re:Heh. by kaosrain · 2005-03-30 17:29 · Score: 0, Offtopic

I know what you mean about the sense of superiority and I think that it [the complex] is completely rediculous. Slashdot is "News for Nerds." Then there is "It's not news, it's Fark." I come to both for seperate reasons and thinking that you are better than another group because you like funny news or you like tech news is, well, idiotic. But damn, we're better than k5 ;)