Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

8 Legged Robotic Micro Ant from Sweden

Posted by Hemos on from the to-the-tune-of-the-little-old-lady-from-pasadena dept.

Steinar Bang writes " Swedish researchers at Kungliga Tekniska Högskolan, are creating micro-robots and micro-motion systems as micromachined 3D silicon structures. They have created an 8-legged robotic micro ant able to carry 50 times its own weight on its back. " Cool looking 'bots - if you like this type of thing check out the bionic rats.

2 of 57 comments (clear)

  1. Doesn't need to be this big. by Nygard · · Score: 3
    From the description of their process, the only reason this thing is so big is so that the researchers could find it. Using silicon substrate and a photolithographic technique, they should be able to make conveyors and walkers less than 1 cm on a side.

    Of course, then somebody has to come up with a practical application for the really small buggers. Like a 1 cm CCD on its back...

    --
    "Genius may have its limitations, but stupidity is not thus handicapped." --Elbert Hubbard (1856-1915)
  2. Re:How much do real ants carry... by Kintanon · · Score: 3

    Leaf cutting ants can only carry 12-14 times their own weight.

    Other ants can carry 10-20 times their own body weigth.

    There is no known species of ant which can carry more than 50 times its body weight.

    This page has more info on ants and the various things they can accomplish.
    http://home.att.net/~B-P.TRUSCIO/STRANGER.htm

    Kintanon


    --
    Check out JoshJitsu.info for Brazilian Ji