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Flying Micro-Robot Takes Off
AndreV writes "A University of Waterloo in Ontario engineering research team has developed the world's first flying micro-robot capable of manipulating objects for micro-scale applications, which include micro-assembly of mechanical components, handling of biological samples and even microsurgery. It moves around and manipulates objects with micro-grippers, remotely controlled by a laser-focusing beam (heating the pincers with a laser opens them; when the laser is turned off, they cool and close). Its magnetic drive mechanism controls the field using continuous feedback from positioning sensors in order to position the 'bot. 'It can enter virtually any space and can be operated in a sealed enclosure by a person outside,' the project leaders says, 'which makes it useful for handling bio-hazardous materials or working in vacuum chambers and clean rooms.' The video of the contraption shows it floating in mid-air."
Video shows almost unrecognizable piece of tinfoil moving up and down a little with part of it always conveniently enough off camera to make you wonder if it was really floating at all....
How's that thing supposed to work with all that tinfoil?
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This thing doesn't really fly... It's a magnet that's levitating by using a complex, computer controlled magnetic field. I'm not sure how the robot can go into 'virtually any space' because you need to have a bunch of equipment to go along with it, and the equipment has to be nearby.
Should change the text to:
"It moves around and manipulates objects with laser-powered micro-grippers, which includes (when millions work in unison) HUMAN HEADS!!"
Well, I bet they'd get more funding if they worded it that way, anyway.
I guess technically it is "flying" but that just makes me think it had some sort of wings or a little bity rocket pack, etc...
I think a better description would have been levitating.
developed the world's first flying micro-robot capable of manipulating objects for micro-scale applications, which include micro-assembly of mechanical components, handling of biological samples and even microsurgery.
We get it, it's small, you can stop saying micro now.
If it is able to fly by magnetic lift, then this is nont a technology worthy of easy field application.
unless; you feel like carrying around a magnetic carpet. it seems they require a pre-installed infrastructure of repulsive material...
just wait until we teach them how to build themselves.....
*by your command*
I for one welcome our Flying Micro-robot overlords.
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I'm holding out for the Borg nanoprobes... then things will get really interesting!
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So much for assassination via this method... But, then, in controlled environments, it's easier to trick the targets to enter an elevator and magnet-fry them there. Otherwise, use dart guns.
Reminds me of when, in ~ 1976/77 when I was in the 4th or 5th grade. I asked the nun what would happen if someone one put a person in a room surrounded by huge or powerful magnets. She said, "Nothing." I disagreed with her. I guess i was diametrically opposed to her response, but i suppose she didn't want me growing up being diabolical...
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Kinda big for a micro-robot, don't ya think... :-)
I mean, its almost as big as that penny.
This is my sig.
How many times can you use the word "micro" in one article?
I have posted the first micro-comment capable of delivering micro-information over the micro-Internet at micro-speeds.
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Magnets are expensive, simply make the bottom of the elevator let loose.
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i was reading the summary and couldnt help but think that it needed more micro so in a pro micro display i have used the word micro a lot here and have forsaken punctuation and capitalization in an effort to make things look more micro because i really felt the summary didnt use the word micro enough to describe this micro robot
Them: "We have developed a magnetically levitated micro-robot"
Reality: You have developed a speaker.
I was wondering how the hell it "flew" in a vacuum.
Scientists were quoted as saying, "Damn you James Dyson! Damn you, and your infernal contraption!"
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from TFA: "The drive controls the genetic field using continuous feedback from positioning sensors in order to position the â(TM)bot."
It is levitating, not flying. The 'pincers' are likely just bimetal springs or that glob in the center expands with heat to spread the pincers.
Composition: 2 magnets polarized vertical and horizontal each and heat-expansive rods as "pincers" and what looks like scotch tape holding the pincers to the lower magnet.
from 09 F9 11 02 9D 74 E3 5B D8 41 56 C5 63 56 88 C0
to 45 2F 6E 40 3C DF 10 71 4E 41 DF AA 25 7D 31 3F
look forward to our tin-foil hat removing microbot-equipped overlords and, as yet another act of shameless brown-nosing, remind them to prohibit the creation of micro-sized bug zappers, lest they suddenly find themselves without the weapons necessary to maintain good order and dicipline in the new world order
Sig Follows: "Suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself." -- Mark Twain
I guess University researchers can be as desperate for attention as anybody else can be. They're right on the bleeding edge of misrepresenting what this thing does. It's not really "flying", it's not really a "robot", either. I think this is more suitable for YouTube than Slashdot or any other (pseudo)news-source.
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don't think that we need to worry about welcoming any Micro-robotic overlords or undelords any time soon.
Yes, it needs more micro, and more cowbells!
More micro! More cowbells!
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In a 1964 novel called "The Invincible", Stanisaw Lem (author of Solaris) described an evolution of robots ("necroevolution"). The final outcome of the process is a symbiosis between plant-like forms that can source solar energy and relatively simple, highly mobile microbots that are capable to form complex clouds. :-)
Depending on the quantity of microbots that go into such cloud, the cloud can be capable of highly complex and spectacular actions (no pretence of AI, though; pure, hard SF). As the microbots are replaceable, fighting such clouds is like fighting against a shadow.
Sorry, felt like mentioning this
j.
i'm sure i wasn't alone in thinking this thing needs a tiny camera stuck on it for uhhh.. certain purposes.
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It is a remote extension of the operator, not running it's own program.
This has long been used in humans. Either a magnetic robot flies in the bodily fluids or magnets are used to move an instrument in the body. Who knows what a flying magnet in air would manipulate, since it's in air.
Anyone else reminded of Batteries Not Included?
...in the very loosest sense of the word. I was kinda expecting something with wings or a propeller, its own power source and control systems, not magnetic levitating tweezers. Although kudos for it's diminutive size.
Then, that rider will regret not having a personal maglift...
Previously: "Linux... Toward the Sunrise..." Now: "Linux... Toward the-- No, now, part of Every Sunrise"
That the "scientist" is holding and is stuck into the off-camera side of the "robot". I can make all sorts of stuff "fly" this way.
--josh