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Voltron-Like Modular Robot Demonstrated

Posted by Zonk on from the i'll-form-the-sense-of-self-entitlement dept.

MattSparkes writes "The 'Superbot', a modular robot that transforms itself into different shapes in order to walk, crawl and clamber up inclines, has been demonstrated in at the University of Southern California. Each bot module is effectively a robot in its own right, and can move independently, flip over and rotate like wheels. They also have 3D accelerometers that let them know their precise orientation. The six sides of each module can dock with any other module. Once connected, the modules can communicate, coordinate shape changes and even transmit power. The bot's creators hope it will make a great working companion for places like, say, the Moon. Or Mars."

11 of 84 comments (clear)

  1. Wii come in piece! by LiquidCoooled · · Score: 5, Funny

    Wii come in piece!

    Imagine a beowolf cluster of WiiMotes coming attacking you and you get the idea.

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    liqbase :: faster than paper
  2. great... by User+956 · · Score: 4, Funny

    The bot's creators hope it will make a great working companion for places like, say, the Moon. Or Mars.

    Oh, sure, send it to Mars and leave us completely defenseless against King Zarkon.

    --
    The theory of relativity doesn't work right in Arkansas.
    1. Re:great... by Tumbleweed · · Score: 4, Funny

      Just don't name the thing AMEE, and for gawd's sake, if you make a military version of it, make sure you completely erase its memory before using it in a civilian capacity! Yeesh.

  3. obsessive compulsory by denoir · · Score: 4, Funny

    1. I for one welcome our new modular overlords. 2. ... 3. Profit!

  4. Blazing Sword by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Hopefully this robot will be smart enough to form it's blazing sword at the BEGINNING of a fight instead of waiting until it is getting it's ass kicked.

  5. Neat by sharkey · · Score: 5, Funny

    Found some more footage: modular robot.

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    --
    "Outlook not so good." That magic 8-ball knows everything! I'll ask about Exchange Server next.
  6. Now is as good a time as any to ask... by straponego · · Score: 3, Funny
    I seem to have missed part of my geek education. Could somebody please explain to me why the whole shape-changing robot thing is useful? Like, in the middle of a battle the robot in question, what, ducks around a corner and folds into the shape of an eight ton cassette tape, and the bad guys come rushing around the corner and... what's this? He's gone! There's nothing here but this cassette tape the size of a semi truck! And it's snickering at us! Oh, well.

    But I agree, we should definitely let our mighty, nigh-invulnerable robot slaves establish an unassailable beachhead on Mars. Also, we should give them human-like motivations, emotions, and needs, so that they may better serve us. And, some of them should look just like humans, so that they can use our equipment and so people will be more comfortable around them.

  7. A new world of practical jokes by Mal-2 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Now instead of wrapping someone's toilet in plastic wrap, you can wrap someone's robot in plastic wrap and watch the look on his face when the robot won't reassemble itself to his orders. Or wrap one segment only, and watch as it tries to assemble itself. Hilarity ensues.

    Mal-2

    --
    How is the Riemann zeta function like Trump rallies? Both have an endless number of trivial zeros.
  8. Change that Shape Baby by problemchild · · Score: 5, Informative

    I'm afraid the Japanese lump looks much better it even demonstrates the units changing shape which is what its about I think :)

    http://unit.aist.go.jp/is/dsysd/mtran/English/expe rimentE.htm

  9. Turn your volume down before watching the video!! by Assassin+bug · · Score: 3, Informative

    The robots have a high pitched and annoying sound! Consider my hearing checked!!

  10. Not Voltron-like... by crankyspice · · Score: 3, Informative

    This isn't Voltron-like at all; Voltron was originally one robot that was split into five pieces by the evil witch's spell!

    Why do I *know* that?!

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    geek. lawyer.