'Terminator' self-assembling cube robots revealed by MIT

[klr]

'Terminator' self-assembling cube robots revealed by MIT

Cube-shaped robots that can flip, jump and assemble themselves into different shapes have been unveiled by scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

The small robots, known as M-Blocks, have no external parts but can move using an internal flywheel mechanism.

They stick together using magnets.

The scientists envisage miniaturised "swarmbot" versions self-assembling like the "liquid steel" androids in the Terminator films.

More realistically, the researchers at MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL), believe armies of such cubes could be used for making temporary repairs to bridges or buildings, or as self-assembly, re-configurable scaffolding.

Modular robots have the advantage of being able to adapt to whatever task or terrain is presented to them.

John Romanishin, one of the research scientists at CSAIL leading the project, said: "We want hundreds of cubes, scattered randomly across the floor, to be able to identify each other, coalesce, and autonomously transform into a chair, or a ladder, or a desk, on demand."

The M-Blocks are currently controlled by computer instructions sent over wireless radio, but in future the researchers hope algorithms can be loaded on the blocks directly, making them entirely autonomous and capable of adapting to different environments.

Blocks equipped with sensors and cameras would be able to work out how to accomplish specific tasks in combat or emergency situations, the scientists hope.
...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-24397880

[Hermit]

Let the pun fest begin.

Currently, the biggest stumbling block would have to be an adequate power source.

[Azathoth]

Let the pun fest begin.

Currently, the biggest stumbling block would have to be an adequate power source.

Some kind of dock when they arent in use should take care of that

[Faithfree]

Let the pun fest begin.

Currently, the biggest stumbling block would have to be an adequate power source.

But at least they're thinking outside the square.

[JimC]

Let the pun fest begin.

Currently, the biggest stumbling block would have to be an adequate power source.

Some kind of dock when they arent in use should take care of that

Their very own cubicle...

[Hermit]

Currently, the biggest stumbling block would have to be an adequate power source.

Some kind of dock when they arent in use should take care of that

While making temporary repairs to bridges or buildings, or as self-assembly, re-configurable scaffolding? I do think until the power issue is markedly improved, doing those kind of jobs the old fashioned way is more economical and viable.

[Hermit]

Let the pun fest begin.

Currently, the biggest stumbling block would have to be an adequate power source.

But at least they're thinking outside the square.

Incubically. Any blockhead can see that.

[mistermack]

I'm working on a similar thing with pyramids. I don't see why cubes should corner the market.
Although I'm not certain that I've got the right angle, with my pyramids.

[PsychoSerenity]

The modular M-Block robot with its innards and flywheel exposed

When this little guy develops self-awareness he's going to be so embarrassed.

[Clinton Huxley]

Whenever some new robot is developed, they always say it may be useful in emergency situation, rescues and the like. What they mean, but daren't say, is that the robot will be useful for herding the shattered remnants of humanity into the shredder.

[mistermack]

No, what will happen is that they will get the size down so small, that the blocks can turn into anything.

In 200 years time, teenage kids will download an app that turns them into a totally realistic woman-doll, with working mouth and vagina, but when mother knocks on the door, it collapses into his homework project.

[Audley Strange]

Could a large enough cluster of them "think"?

[Clinton Huxley]

Get more than 12 and they could probably generate a PowerPoint slide deck about risk management in the yogurt industry.

[Mysturji]

I'll be block.

[Faithfree]

It might be a gamble, but if they could make these cubes about centimetre-size, with different numbers of dots on the surface, say from one to six, and if the owner could remotely control which side came up on top when the cube was rolled, I recon there would be a market.