Tufts University to Develop Morphing Robots. John Connor Doomed.
Posted on July 11, 2008
Filed Under Culture, Techno-file | By Chris Haigy
Scientists at Tufts University have received a $3.3 million contract to create a robot that capable of shrinking down to a tenth its normal size, squeezing into a tiny crevice, and then growing back to full size again. The robots will be used to conduct unmanned operations where normal entry is blocked and not, they tell us, to enslave mankind. Using 100% “biodegradable bioengineered biopolymers” (…bio…) the scientists hope to significantly reduce human fatalities by allowing for reconnaissance in hostage situations or rescue operations. From PhysOrg.com:
Key to success will be the use of new biomaterials. While the Tufts team will build the initial chembots with existing synthetic soft materials and actuators, the next stage of the project will use novel soft bionic composites that will be biocompatible and biodegradable.
“Use of all-biodegradable biopolymer systems will allow use of the robots in a broad range of environmental applications, as well as medical scenarios, without requiring retrieval after completion of the designated tasks,” noted co-principal investigator David Kaplan, Stern Family Professor of Biomedical Engineering and chair of biomedical engineering. “We expect that these devices will literally be able to disappear after completing their mission.”
In other words, they will be silent, indistructible, untraceable killers when the robot wars come.
(Source: Geekologie)
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