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Dancing Micro-Robots Waltz on a Pin's Head

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the i-have-several-pin-heads-to-donate-to-testing dept.

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."

15 of 89 comments (clear)

  1. How many robots can dance on the head of a pin? by ciaran.mchale · · Score: 5, Informative

    The researchers just have to call these micro robots "angels". That then will finally answer the age-old question.

    1. Re:How many robots can dance on the head of a pin? by blue+l0g1c · · Score: 3, Insightful

      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. :/

  2. They can't hear the music by EmbeddedJanitor · · Score: 4, Interesting

    They're too small, relative to the wavelength, to hear. So how can they be dancing to it ?

    --
    Engineering is the art of compromise.
    1. Re:They can't hear the music by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

      They are not dancing in response to audio stimulation at all. They are dancing in response to voltage fluctuations in their "dance floor". Kind of like the duck that dances on top of an inverted kettle... it doesn't work if you forget to put the candle under the kettle!

    2. Re:They can't hear the music by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

      also, no ears.

  3. Grey goo.. by onion2k · · Score: 4, Funny

    So when the grey goo comes I'll finally be able to get a dance partner? Woo!

    I wonder if it puts out on the first date..

    --
    http://twitter.com/onion2k
  4. technically by bornyesterday · · Score: 3, Interesting

    They simply twirled to the music. Waltzing is has a 1-2-3-pause beat pattern. Just because they danced TO a waltz does not mean that they waltzed.

  5. Where's the movie of the waltz on a pin's head? by heroine · · Score: 5, Interesting

    The blogger keeps referring to dancing robots, links to a home video of an amateur recital of something, links to some robot videos from years ago, but nothing here showing robots dancing a waltz on a pin's head.

  6. is it me, or is it materializing? by Bananatree3 · · Score: 3, Interesting
    Now we have micron sized robots. Just last week we had announcement of a robotic arm within spitting distance of human dexterity. We have airplane-converts to car almost here for the consumer. An electric car that can get as much mileage as a gas car and still do freeway speeds (Tesla Roadster). We've got plugin hybrids within a year or two at most hitting the high end consumer market (commercial plugins), that will drop gas consumption at large scales.

    We live in exciting times.

    1. Re:is it me, or is it materializing? by bloodninja · · Score: 2, Insightful

      We live in exciting times. So did the residents of Nagasaki.
      --
      Lock the wife and the dog in the boot of the car.
      Return one hour later.
      Who's happy to see you?
  7. Let's dance to the Thunder! by brunokummel · · Score: 3, Funny

    Too bad the little fellas couldn't actually "hear" the music...since the frequency we are able to hear would sound much more like a huge roar than music
    ....I guess they probably just were trying to run for cover from the thunderstorm... Can you imagine the damage a single drop of rain can make on a microrobot?

    Those scientists are just a bunch of insensitive clods.

    --
    What is best in life? To crush your enemies, to see them driven before you and to hear the lamentations of their women.
  8. Re:How many... by pablomme · · Score: 2, Informative

    A millimeter is larger than you think. Grab a ruler and check.

    --
    The state you are in while your HEAD is detached... - wait, what?
  9. Re:Nerds are great dancers by digitrev · · Score: 2, Insightful

    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.

    --
    Cynical Idealist
  10. Where's the story? by AlgorithMan · · Score: 3, Insightful

    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?

    --
    The MAFIAA is a bunch of mindless jerks who will be the first up against the wall when the revolution comes
  11. Micro-Robot... by rakzor · · Score: 2, Funny

    Better hope it doesn't fall off the pin head.

    --
    -Nemo me impune lacessit-