Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

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."

21 of 72 comments (clear)

  1. 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.

      --
      There is a war going on for your mind.
    2. Re:Flying? by jbeaupre · · Score: 3, Funny

      So you're saying it won't work in my iron filing factory?

      --
      The world is made by those who show up for the job.
    3. 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.

      --
      Prediction: The real iPhone killer is going to be sex robots from Japan. Think about it.
    4. Re:Flying? by Lord+Ender · · Score: 2, Insightful

      It pushes against the micro-aether. Duh.

      --
      A slashdotter who didn't build his own computer is like a Jedi who didn't build his own lightsaber.
    5. Re:Flying? by clarkkent09 · · Score: 4, Funny

      the world's first flying micro-robot capable of manipulating objects for micro-scale applications, which include ... microsurgery.

      Congratulations University of Waterloo, you get the award for the most sensationalist spin ever given to a magnetically levitated piece of metal. In other news, following this success, all makers of levitating pen novelty toys are rebranding their products as "flying pen assassin robots" (ninja not included).

      --
      Negative moral value of force outweighs the positive value of good intentions.
    6. Re:Flying? by davolfman · · Score: 2, Insightful

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

  2. Update by alexj33 · · Score: 3, Funny

    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.

  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. Re:video... by ColdWetDog · · Score: 3, Funny

    You missed the force field below the "robot" - look carefully, it's eerily similar to the field under Luke's speeder.

    Then have another cup of coffee and realize it's just video compression artifacts.

    Sigh. I hate mornings.

    --
    Faster! Faster! Faster would be better!
  5. Behold... by AdmiralXyz · · Score: 4, Funny

    I have posted the first micro-comment capable of delivering micro-information over the micro-Internet at micro-speeds.

    --
    Dislike the Electoral College? Lobby your state to join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact.
  6. needs more micro by sexconker · · Score: 5, Funny

    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

  7. Lies by EkriirkE · · Score: 3, Interesting

    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
  8. 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.

    --
    Are YOU using the TOOL, or is the TOOL using YOU? Think about it!
    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.

  9. Re:Bite my shiny metal track. by Red+Flayer · · Score: 5, Funny

    it seems they require a pre-installed infrastructure of repulsive material...

    No problem, as long as they have web access at the site, they can visit 4chan.

    /rimshot

    --
    "Trolls they were, but filled with the evil will of their master: a fell race..." -- J.R.R. Tolkien on Olog-hai
  10. (Ahem, cough,cough): I, for one .... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    don't think that we need to worry about welcoming any Micro-robotic overlords or undelords any time soon.

  11. A related SF story... by jw3 · · Score: 2, Interesting

    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.

  12. 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.

  13. 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.