Researchers, led by Matthew Devlin from UC Santa Barbara, have created small robots that can change shape and state, mimicking biological tissues. These robots, capable of collective behavior, utilize motorized gears, magnets, and photodetectors for movement and communication. Despite their capabilities, the project faces challenges in scaling down the robots from over 5 centimeters to several centimeters. The team's work, published in Science, reflects an ongoing intersection between scientific inquiry and speculative fiction, particularly the concept of cohesive robotic units reminiscent of the T-1000 from "Terminator 2."
These robots have motorized gears that allow them to move around within the collective, magnets so they can stay attached, and photodetectors that allow them to receive instructions from a flashlight with a polarization filter.
The vision of cohesive collectives of robotic units that can arrange into virtually any form with any physical properties...has long intrigued both science and fiction.
Otger Campàs noted that reality remains 'far from the Terminator thing,' with size and power challenges remaining to overcome.
Researchers are aiming to reduce the robots from slightly over 5 centimeters in diameter to potentially 1 or 2 centimeters, or even smaller.
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