Creepy Mini-Robots Form Hivemind Swarm, Could Be Injected into Humans
Researchers at Hanyang University in South Korea have created tiny robots that can move large objects and even form a swarm-like ants. The mini-machines, measuring just 0.6 millimeters each, are powered by a rotating magnetic field and can self-assemble to perform complex tasks.
In a fascinating video, the swarm of robots can be seen moving on their own, lifting a 160-milligram obstacle and even toppling a 330-milligram cuboid. The team believes that these swarms could be used to tackle challenging tasks in difficult environments, including being injected into humans to assist with invasive surgeries.
The robots are made of epoxy embedded with ferromagnetic neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) particles, allowing them to respond to magnetic fields and form patterns to carry out different jobs. The team has also developed a cost-effective mass production method using onsite replica molding and magnetization.
The cooperative approach of the robots makes them more resilient to failure, as even if some fall short, the others continue their programmed actions until enough succeed. The swarm’s ability to adjust the magnetization angle allows for precise control over its behavior, enhancing its ability to perform complex tasks collectively.
Tests have been carried out to observe the swarm’s ability to carry weight, including forming a raft that floated on water and wrapped around a pill weighing 2,000 times more than each robot. This could allow rescue teams to reach people trapped in a body of water.
While the swarms show promising results, the team acknowledges that they will need higher levels of autonomy before they are ready for real-world applications. Future research will focus on improving the autonomy of the microrobot swarms, including the development of real-time feedback control for their movements and trajectories.
