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Flying Micro-Robot Takes Off

Posted by samzenpus on from the fly-on-the-wall dept.

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."

12 of 72 comments (clear)

  1. video... by aicrules · · Score: 1, Insightful

    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....

  2. Flying? by ramk13 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    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.

    1. Re:Flying? by Jaysyn · · Score: 3, Insightful

      I was wondering how the hell it "flew" in a vacuum.

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    2. Re:Flying? by Gat0r30y · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Since the power is supplied externally, the robot does not carry a power source or a controller, which enhances its maneuverability.

      How can they call this thing a robot, if it has no power source or controller? It would appear to me to be a magnet, with some grippers applied.

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    3. Re:Flying? by Lord+Ender · · Score: 2, Insightful

      It pushes against the micro-aether. Duh.

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    4. Re:Flying? by davolfman · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Because most journalists look at you funny if you call it a wireless waldo.

  3. levitation by purpleque · · Score: 5, Insightful

    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.

    1. Re:levitation by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Why? Is flying only the correct term to use when it's the result of some crazy rocket propulsion or flight locomotion?

      I think not.

  4. Some people! by kheldan · · Score: 2, Insightful

    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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    1. Re:Some people! by Dachannien · · Score: 4, Insightful

      The fact that TFA misrepresents what's going on makes it prime fodder for /. Now we can all demonstrate how much smarter we are than everyone else by all separately posting about how the article sucks and how that's not really what they're doing.

  5. It's not a ROBOT, it's a "waldo". by dltaylor · · Score: 4, Insightful

    It is a remote extension of the operator, not running it's own program.

  6. It's a robot.... by ChayD · · Score: 2, Insightful

    ...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.