Researchers from UC Santa Barbara and TU Dresden have successfully developed a collection of autonomous robots that behave like a material, inspired by biological systems. These disk-shaped robots can assemble and adapt to create different material properties, responding to internal signals rather than external ones. This research draws from insights about embryonic development, where cells alter their states and arrangements. The aim is to create robotic materials that balance rigidity and fluidity, showcasing potential applications that utilize these smart behaviors.
"We've figured out a way for robots to behave more like a material," said Matthew Devlin, a former doctoral researcher in the lab of UCSB mechanical engineering professor Elliot Hawkes."
"Living embryonic tissues are the ultimate smart materials," he said. "They have the ability to self-shape, self-heal and even control their material strength in space and time."
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