Thursday, March 31, 2005

NASA - NASA Tests Shape-Shifting Robot Pyramid for Nanotech Swarms

NASA - NASA Tests Shape-Shifting Robot Pyramid for Nanotech Swarms

The first step towards Programmable Matter may be taken on Mars. Or, alternatively, the first slither towards...

"These miniature TETwalkers, when joined together in "swarms," will have great advantages over current systems. The swarm has abundant flexibility so it can change its shape to accomplish highly diverse goals. For example, while traveling through a planet's atmosphere, the swarm might flatten itself to form an aerodynamic shield. Upon landing, it can shift its shape to form a snake-like swarm and slither away over difficult terrain. If it finds something interesting, it can grow an antenna and transmit data to Earth. Highly-collapsible material can also be strung between nodes for temperature control or to create a deployable solar sail."

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