Scientists From MIT Invent a Robot That Can Transform Into Almost Any 3D Shape

Transforming robots are not be the exclusive property of cartoons and sci-fi blockbusters anymore. Engineers from MIT have created a tiny device that is capable of folding itself into almost any desirable shape. Developed by Neil Gershenfeld, Ara Knaian and Kenneth Cheung, the “milli-motein” is the world’s smallest chain robot. Operating under the theory that any three-dimensional shape can be made by folding a long enough string of identical subunits, the small motorized contraption can fashion itself into almost any configuration.



Read the rest of Scientists From MIT Invent a Robot That Can Transform Into Almost Any 3D Shape

---

Permalink | Add to del.icio.us | digg

Post tags: ara knaian, chain, electro-permanent motor, electromagnet, kenneth cheung, milli-motein, MIT, motor, neil gershenfeld, robot, string, three-dimensional

via INHABITAT please read original post at http://inhabitat.com/scientists-from-mit-invent-a-robot-that-can-transform-into-almost-any-3d-shape/