3D-Printed Smart Active Particles
Building conventional robots requires putting together components like motors, batteries, actuators, legs, and wheels. Researchers from Georgia Tech have built robots completely from smaller robots known as smart active particles, or “smarticles." These little robots can only flap their two arms, but when confined in a circle they can form a "supersmarticle" that can move by itself.
More From SAE Media Group
Tech Briefs
5Ws of Film-Balloon Soft Robots
Robotics & Automation INSIDER
Tech Focus: A New Generation of Mechanical Axes
More
Motion Control and Automation Technology INSIDER
Wave-Propelled, Slithering Robot Uses a Single Small Motor
Tech Briefs
Dynamic Fabric for Motion Generation
Tech Briefs
3D-Printed, Vibration-Powered Robot is Ant-Sized
Motion Design
Shape-Shifting Robot Uses New Locomotion Strategy
Tech Briefs
Super-Fast Soft Robots Inspired by Cheetahs
Tech Briefs
Jumping Soft Actuator Inspired by Children's Toy
Motion Design
Origami Inspires Shape-Shifting ‘Transformer Bots’
Tech Briefs
3D Printing Shape-Shifting Liquid Crystal