Swarms of Solar-Powered Microbots On the Way 119
Mike writes to tell us that Inhabitat has an interesting article, complete with some pretty pictures, about a new solar-powered swarm robot that could be used to collect data and aid in surveillance. "These mini-robots are quite revolutionary, considering that they contain all that's necessary to collect data and relay it back using one single circuit board. In the past single-chip robots have presented significant design and manufacturing challenges due in part to the use of solder as an adhesive. These new microbots use conductive adhesive to attach the components to a double-sided flexible printed circuit board using surface mount technology. The circuit is then folded into thirds and wrapped around the ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit). On top, a solar cell generates power for the robot and delivers 3.6 V to the unit, which is enough for it to walk. Locomotion is achieved via three vibrating legs, while a fourth horizontal vibrating leg is used as a touch sensor."
Comment removed (Score:5, Funny)
Vibrating legs (Score:4, Funny)
Locomotion is achieved via three vibrating legs, while a fourth horizontal vibrating leg is used as a touch sensor.
I understand that there are quite a few videos about on the 'net showing the use of a horizontal vibrating "leg" as a touch sensor. Not that I frequent such sites, you understand.
Re:apart from ... (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Too simple to be able to do much (Score:3, Funny)
By then you'll be all like "Please don't kill me". But it'll be too late, the microbots are going to turn themselves into a humanoid form that can reach into your brain and steal all your memories.
Then you'll just have to sit around until MacGyver gets some bubble gum and tooth picks to save you.
Don't say you weren't warned.
Re:Great! (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Too simple to be able to do much (Score:3, Funny)
And then they turn into the replicators and wipe out the entire planet.... Some people never learn from TV.
Re:When will they be put to good use? (Score:3, Funny)
Now there is a solution in search of a problem.
I'm trying to imagine a horde of tiny robots lugging a single ear of corn a few miles to a drop off point, and then I'm picturing a combine harvester harvesting a whole acre every few minutes, while also doing processing!
Likewise blight and disease. It's usually pretty obvious. You could make little machines to eat pests, but nature has been doing it for a lot longer, and the bitch is pretty good at it.
RENEGADE!! (Score:3, Funny)