Robotics is a rapidly advancing field that will do more to change our lives in the next few decades than any other technology. From humble beginnings with the commercial automated vacuum, Roomba, these mechanical assistants can do everything from perform surgery to manufacture autos to conduct military operations. One cannot open a newspaper without reading about drones that deliver packages, monitor traffic, or carry out bombing missions. Drones are just one example of the possibilities with flying robots.
In addition to the large scale applications, scientists and engineers are developing micro-robots that may help with searches of confined spaces or be implanted into one’s body to conduct medical procedures as in "Fantastic Voyage” by Isaac Asimov. Of course, like any technology, these microrobots could be turned to evil as in Michael Crichton’s posthumous novel “Prey,” where swarms of nanorobots invade and devour their prey.
In addition to the large scale applications, scientists and engineers are developing micro-robots that may help with searches of confined spaces or be implanted into one’s body to conduct medical procedures as in "Fantastic Voyage” by Isaac Asimov. Of course, like any technology, these microrobots could be turned to evil as in Michael Crichton’s posthumous novel “Prey,” where swarms of nanorobots invade and devour their prey.
Real life micro-robots are being developed by Sarah Bergbreiter at the University of Maryland. In a recent TED talk she demonstrates how she can make simple robots the size of a grain of rice walk and jump. Bergbreiter and her students are working on micro structures and systems for locomotion, sensing, actuation, power, and systems integration.
One of these micro-robots, no larger than a breath mint, and powered by light, is able to jump over 100 times its own height. Another micro-robot is able to 'run' ten times its body length per second. A human performing these feats would be jumping a building 50 stories high and running a 5 second 100-meter dash! Bergbreiter uses fabrication techniques pioneered in the electronics industry to prepare micro-actuators that propel these little guys.
It will not be long before these micro-robots leave the lab and become part of our lives.
One of these micro-robots, no larger than a breath mint, and powered by light, is able to jump over 100 times its own height. Another micro-robot is able to 'run' ten times its body length per second. A human performing these feats would be jumping a building 50 stories high and running a 5 second 100-meter dash! Bergbreiter uses fabrication techniques pioneered in the electronics industry to prepare micro-actuators that propel these little guys.
It will not be long before these micro-robots leave the lab and become part of our lives.
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