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iRobot Introduces Morphing Blob Robot

Posted by kdawson on from the compare-to-doctor-johnson's-dog dept.

Aristos Mazer sends word of research out of iRobot on a "chembot," or morphing blob robot, that looks like dough and moves by shifting its sides from solid-like to liquid-like states. This will allow it, in theory and after lots of refinement, to pass through cracks by squeezing. iRobot calls the new technique "jamming." The research project was funded by DARPA. The video clearly shows the early stage the work is in, but when you think about it the possibilities are a little unsettling.

11 of 177 comments (clear)

  1. That's impressive? by winkydink · · Score: 4, Funny

    I've got a sourdough starter that will kick that thing's jammy little ass.

    --

    "I'd rather be a lightning rod than a seismometer." -Ken Kesey

    1. Re:That's impressive? by Hal_Porter · · Score: 5, Funny

      Also, it was shown moving over a perfectly flat tabletop. Not quite the images of terror I was expecting. Call it how it is.

      Daleks could only move over flat surfaces too.

      --
      echo -e 'global _start\n _start:\n mov eax, 2\n int 80h\n jmp _start' > a.asm; nasm a.asm -f elf; ld a.o -o a;
  2. The Ball! by QuantumG · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Finally, now we can make "the ball" guard from The Prisoner.

    I am not a number! You're number 6! I am not a number, I'm a free man!!

    --
    How we know is more important than what we know.
  3. Hey! by Hurricane78 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Taco is NOT a robot! I've seen him write an original summary!

    --
    Any sufficiently advanced intelligence is indistinguishable from stupidity.
  4. What I want.... by mark-t · · Score: 5, Interesting

    ... is a small robot vacuum a lot like the Roomba that can *ALSO* automatically empty its canister into a larger bin whenever the vacuum is full.

    --
    File under 'M' for 'Manic ranting'
    1. Re:What I want.... by QuantumG · · Score: 4, Insightful

      I *hate* to get into a humans vs robots argument, but seriously, just hire a good maid.. you'll never think robots are close to the same capabilities of humans again.

      I wish every "home robot" designer would do this, maybe we'd start getting some robots that are actually capable.

      --
      How we know is more important than what we know.
  5. Additional Robots by natebarney · · Score: 5, Funny

    Now, if they can make D12, D10, D8, D6, and D4 robots, I'll never fail another critical roll again!

  6. Re:Medical applications by Jahava · · Score: 4, Interesting

    There are some basic problems with this - specifically, iRobot's demonstration uses the addition and removal of air to control both size and hardness. In bodily cavities, not only would air be in limited supply, but in some areas (i.e. blood stream) it's downright not welcome!

  7. d'oh by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    looks like dough and moves by shifting its sides from solid-like to liquid-like states

    Sounds like my wedding night.

  8. Re:Finally by EdIII · · Score: 4, Funny

    I can see that I am not the only deeply perverted Slashdotter here.

    to pass through cracks by squeezing . iRobot calls the new technique "jamming."

    Come on, they are just asking for it.

    Although I think the best market for this is initially one populated by disgusting perverts (a larger market than anyone wants to admit) there is something incredibly terrifying about a military machine whose primary target is your asshole .

    Imagine the horror. Somewhere in eastern Afghanistan there are men huddled in a cave fervently whispering. Talking not about smart missiles, bunker busters, and fuel bombs, but about smart AI blobs of fast moving jelly that get inside you and your death is one by your asshole exploding slowly through intense pressure deep in your bowels .

    Between one of those horror blobs and 10 Navy Seals, I think I would choose death by Navy Seals instead.

  9. Re:Medical applications by sapphire+wyvern · · Score: 5, Funny

    Luckily, the use of blood to control the size and hardness of a mechanical system is a well-demonstrated technology.