Robot Composed of "Catoms" Can Assume Any Form

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Robot Composed of "Catoms" Can Assume Any Form

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on Friday February 1, 2008 @09:46AM from the come-with-me-if-you-want-to-live dept.

philetus writes "An article in New Scientist describes a robotic system composed of swarms of electromagnetic modules capable of assuming almost any form that is being developed by the Claytronics Group at Carnegie Mellon. 'The grand goal is to create swarms of microscopic robots capable of morphing into virtually any form by clinging together. Seth Goldstein, who leads the research project at Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, in the US, admits this is still a distant prospect. However, his team is using simulations to develop control strategies for futuristic shape-shifting, or "claytronic", robots, which they are testing on small groups of more primitive, pocket-sized machines.'"

10 of 168 comments (clear)

Min score:

Reason:

Sort:

By Any Other Name by RobertNotBob · 2008-02-01 09:47 · Score: 5, Funny

I, for one, welcome our new replicator Overlords.

--
___ I don't respond to Anonymous Cowards, and I Never Mod them UP.
Replicators!!! by alta · 2008-02-01 09:50 · Score: 5, Funny

Oh my goodness, those people obviously never watched stargate! They're making replicators! They are swarms of robots that can assume any form. The only way to stop them is for MacGuyver to stick his head in some ancient machine to gain their knowledge. Then he'll develope a super weapon that looks like a BFG3000 that will shoot waves at them causing them to disassociate with each other and fall to the ground like a pile of leggos. But that's only enough to stop a few of them, the REAL solution is to link all the stargates together at once (anyone seen baal?) and then send said 'waves of magical energy' through the one closest to T'ealc.

Someone shoot them before they doom us all!!!

--
Do not meddle in the affairs of sysadmins, for they are subtle, and quick to anger.
Re:Awe gee-whiz... by eln · 2008-02-01 09:51 · Score: 5, Funny

In Soviet Slashdot, tired meme jokes are in before YOU!
Catoms? by StCredZero · 2008-02-01 09:54 · Score: 5, Funny

Oh Hai! I haz a covalent bond?
1. Re:Catoms? by Dirtside · 2008-02-01 10:17 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  Nooo! Iz MAI lectron shell. I no share lectrons wit u.
  
  --
  "Destroy science and religion. Science would re-emerge exactly the same; but not religion." - Penn Jillette, paraphrased
2. Re:Catoms? by CptNerd · 2008-02-01 12:00 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  DO NOT WANT!
  
  --
  By the taping of my glasses, something geeky this way passes
Multi Meme Heaven by sam_paris · 2008-02-01 10:10 · Score: 4, Funny

T-1000 Cat is watching you masturbate! >.
pokey pokey by Stanistani · 2008-02-01 10:13 · Score: 4, Funny

Wha... "claytronic" robots?

I never foresaw that the machines that take over the world in the future would look like Gumby...

--
You can't talk about Wikipedia's flaws on Wikipedia
Re:MOD PARENT UP by 4D6963 · 2008-02-01 10:17 · Score: 4, Funny

OK, now that's funny!
No it's not! You want funny? Here's funny : There's two hookers in a lift. One goes, "It smells like cum in here". The other one replies, "Oops sorry I just farted".
Tada! Mod points please...

--
You just got troll'd!
Re:Mercedes-Benz SilverFlow by amRadioHed · 2008-02-01 13:20 · Score: 4, Funny

Mercedes showed off "SilverFlow", a shape-changing car that melts into a pool of liquid metal when not in use. I used to have a Chevy that sorta did that. I mean not the shape-changing thing, but it did form a big pool of liquid wherever I parked it.

--
We hope your rules and wisdom choke you / Now we are one in everlasting peace