Modular, shape-shifting robots get right back up to creep you out
By Donald Melanson 
posted Apr 29th 2008 2:06PM
posted Apr 29th 2008 2:06PM
We've seen a number of modular, reassembling robots already, but that doesn't make 'em any less unnerving, especially when we see them doing their thing on video. As you can see for yourself after the break, this latest batch of bots from the University of Pennsylvania seem to be capable enough, with them able to be kicked apart and find their way back together again, albeit somewhat slowly. That's done with the aid of a camera that seeks out the unique blinkin' lights of another robot, which it is able to dock with using some magnets and then start the search for another bot all over again, eventually forming into a slightly unstable walking robot (be sure to stick with video 'till the end for that).
[Via Futurismic]
[Via Futurismic]
The replicators from Stargate SG-1!!!
"after successful self reassembly, the system stands up and continues its task."
... of falling over.
Designed to be the leaders of tomorrow?
I had a nice LOL after those comments.
+1 to each of you.
This video reeks of stop-motion.
Naw, I worked with this guy (Mark Yim) back when he was at Xerox PARC. He speeds up the video a bit because it is horribly slow to watch all the little alignment processes take place.
I think he was on the cover of Wired at one point, with a bunch of these little cube guys configured into legs to ride a bike.
Awesome.
I for one wel.... nope I will not do it.
But I will:
"I, for one, welcome our modular, shape-shifting, robotic overlords."
Holy F***
So, i will start a list of quotes we all hate here, feel free to add on:
If anyone actually types these from now on (and i notice) i will add under the comment "(insert name) is a dickhead.
1. I, for one, welcome our (Insert text), (Insert text), (Insert text) overlords.
2. Will it play doom?
3. Will it blend?
4. Will i cut myself everytime i read one of these comments? Yes, yes i will.
will it blend?... there now cut yourself Cadet, and remember across the street not down the road
will it blend?... there now cut yourself Cadet, and remember across the street not down the road
i aint scare.
not till they're armed with frickin lasers....
Lasers? Self-replicating machines don't need lasers to kill you painfully.
Quick, someone grab a P90 before they form a queen!
T-2 prototype?
I know, seriously didn't we learn anything from the Terminator series!
hahahahahhahah it fell over :P
Still pretty good :D
Hey!
Chop off my legs and let ne put them back on and I can pretty much guarantee I'll fall over if I try to stand up, too!
You're right about one thing; that was a pretty lame reply...
If it weren't for the ending, it'd for sure give me nightmares.
I'm pretty sure I can kick them down again in the 3 minutes it took them to get back together.
It was more like 14 minutes with the video speed-up. Welcome our robotic underlords.
will you be able to kick them ALL down when you're surrounded by thousands of 'em?
:P
Probably...
laugh while you can.. :)
Whew!!!! At least at that speed they won't be taking over humanity any time soon...
I've seen these things in action. They do work as advertised. However, as people have said above, reassembly is a bit slow. Nevertheless, when you're in space (which is one of the primary applications of these), speed is not much of an issue. Instead, you become more concerned with flexibility of design and ability to self-repair as when a robot is broken on Mars, you're not fixing it.
This is quite impressive for a prototype design. They encompass many aspect of robotics that have been difficult, and they do it as a singular unit or a whole. There are so many possibilities here.
I've seen the future and its name is Devastator.
Nothing like drunk-robo-pieces
Kick it! Kick It! KICK IT!
KICK IT AGAIN!
That was cool...
Wow, looks like a precursor for creating the Iron Giant...
And possibly also a precursor for self-assembling nanomachines...
"The inhabitants of zero one went out in all directions... but then they fell over."
Q: Why doesnt it become a bomb or something to get me?
A: It cant form complex machines, guns and explosives have chemicals, moving parts, it doesn't work that way, but it can form solid cube-like shapes.
Q: Like what?
A: Tetris pieces and rubix cubes.
"Fatal stabbing today, in downtown Los Angeles, victim was killed by what looked like an L-shaped tetris piece..."
ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha.
Ooops, i just pee'd a little
The Holy Grail might have turned out completely different had King Arthur been fighting this thing to cross the bridge.
Arthur:"I've cut your arm off!"
Modular, shape-shifting robot:"No you haven't"
arm reattaches and slays Arthur
Knights: "RUN AWAY....RUN AWAY....."
I would go for something more like this:
King Arthur: "Look you stupid b'stard, you've got no arms left!"
Black Bot: "Yes I have!"
King Arthur: "Look!"
Black Bot: "Just a mesh wound." *kick*
must.kill.john.connor.
Is there any reason this has to be done with visible light, or could they transmit the communications/instructions/orientation via radio?
stop trying to sound clever.
Yeah, determining it's proximity by signal strength or something. Or maybe even just using IR instead of visible light.
BTW, the video doesn't seem to be working anymore, anyone else having problems?
That video owes me 3 minutes of life.
LOL! That's the funniest thing I've read all week!
Reminds me of the Iron Giant.
Borg Cubes.
Not Borg, replicators dewd.Huge and very slow replicators.
Where's Thor when you need him?
"Ho...garth...Sooooperman."
now we wait for the allspark
allspark + this technology = beast wars