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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.

5 of 177 comments (clear)

  1. 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'
  2. 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!

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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;