Dancing Micro-Robots Waltz on a Pin's Head

coondoggie writes to mention that Duke University researchers have created micro-robots and made them dance to their tune. With dimensions measured in microns, these tiny bots were made to waltz to the music of Strauss on the head of a pin just one millimeter across. "In another sequence, the devices pivot in a precise fashion whenever their boom-like steering arms are drawn down to the surface by an electric charge. This response resembles the way dirt bikers turn by extending a boot heel, researchers said. The researchers said they have also been able to get five of the devices to group-maneuver in cooperation under the same control system.Known as microelectromechanical system (MEMS) microrobots, the devices are of suitable scale for Lilliputian tasks such as moving around the interiors of laboratories-on-a-chip."

Comments

Re:How many robots can dance on the head of a pin?

[blue l0g1c]

Ah, but how many pins can you fit on the head of an angel?

Maybe Hellraiser was a fallen angel?

This is totally getting modded off-topic. :/

Re:They can't hear the music

[Anonymous Coward]

also, no ears.

Re:is it me, or is it materializing?

[bloodninja]

We live in exciting times. So did the residents of Nagasaki.

Re:Nerds are great dancers

[digitrev]

That depends on what type of dance. For a partnered dance with a clear lead and follow, I can imagine that nerds would be in high demand. For the gyrating bodies found in your typical club...methinks the answers do be a bit different.

Where's the story?

[AlgorithMan]

Maybe I'm just too tired, but I only find sketches and texts via that link... no video, not even a single photo... I have seen nothing there that gives any indication that these robots actually exist

so now "stuff that matters" includes people saying they did something?