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."

8 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 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.
  2. 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.

  3. 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.
  4. 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

  5. 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
  6. 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.

  7. 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.