Friday, June 20, 2014

New modular robots could shape-shift into furniture (video)

A team of researchers from the Biorobotics Laboratory at École Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne has designed modular robots that can self-assemble and re-configure themselves as different structures depending on what task they are directed to perform.

The small robots — called Roombots — crawl, pivot and climb on top of one another like low tech, real-life transformers. The team hopes that someday, these modular bots will be used to manufacture themselves into shape-shifting furniture — assembling into stools that turn into chairs and chairs that turn into tables.

The researchers are hoping these modular robots could eventually be used to form adaptive furniture. For example, the robots could assemble into a table that would move on command, bringing medicine or food to someone who is bedridden or injured.

More work is needed to achieve that ambitious goal, but it's fun to watch this video of the Roombots slowly crawling on top of each other to create the leg of a stool.

For more of the Wired story and video: wired.com


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