Meet the smallest ever remote-controlled walking robot. It was created by engineers at Northwestern University and resembles a tiny peekytoe crab. This crab is only half a millimeter wide and it can easily be perched on the side of a coin, but it can move and turn in every direction - bending, twisting, crawling, and even leaping. Let’s see what else it can do.
At this time, the study does not have a specific objective. It’s only experimental, but the results are already very promising and can be highly influential in many fields. The researchers propose several possible uses for their crab robot. These include repair or assembly of small structures or surgical assistance in minimally invasive procedures.
This is not the first time this team of engineers breaks records when it comes to robotics. They were also the first to create the smallest ever man-made flying structure. It was a winged microchip smaller than the head of the common ant. The main purpose of the structure is to monitor air pollution, airborne disease, and environmental contamination.
Speed
Seeing as they resemble crabs or tiny creatures, you might imagine that these robots can whizz by pretty fast, but so far, their speed is at an average of half a millimeter a second. While this may sound painfully slow, it is considered a more-than-average speed at such a small scale. You might even be shocked to discover that this robot does not use any electronic or hydraulic machinery to move. Instead, the very material from which it’s made, in combination with remote laser control, is what animates it.
Movement
The researchers used a shape-memory alloy material to build the robot. It transforms to its remembered shape when heated. When it is heated up, it contracts. When it cools down, it expands back to its original shape.
What heats the alloy is a laser beam. The direction of this beam determines the robot's direction of movement. John a. Rogers, Who lead the experimental work, explained that “because these structures are so tiny, the rate of cooling is very fast. In fact, reducing the sizes of these robots allows them to run faster.” As some wise man once said, everything is relative.
How does one come about manufacturing such little things? Well, the researchers at Northwestern will tell you it’s all child’s play. The manufacturing process is inspired by children’s pop-up books, a technique they introduced eight years ago.
First, they create the structures as flat, spread-out sheets. Then they lay these sheets onto a slightly stretched rubber layer. When this stretched rubber is relaxed, all parts are assembled, and the crabs pop into their final three-dimensional forms.
But why a crab of all things? The researchers once again show us their playful side, admitting that this was a creative whim: "With these assembly techniques and materials concepts, we can build walking robots of almost any size or 3D shape, but the students felt inspired and amused by the sideways crawling motions of tiny crabs."
They also created millimeter-sized robots that resemble inchworms, crickets, and beetles. I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t mind letting this tiny crab join in as an assistant if I ever need surgery. And if you’re not convinced yet, try watching it in action:
Behind the Scenes of the Human-Like Atlas Robot
In this video, we get a behind-the-scenes look at the development of the incredible Atlas robot.
5 World-Changing Medical Advances From the Past Decade
Perhaps the most important technological advancements are those related to healthcare. Here are 5 such incredible medical breakthroughs from the past decade.
What Drinking Whiskey Actually Does to Your Body
While we now know that whiskey isn't the cure-all medicine people once though it was, it does have a few proven health benefits.
Fascinating History - Why We Wash Our Hands
Until the 18th-century doctors didn’t wash their hands. Everything changed thanks to a man named Dr. Ignaz Semmelweis. This is his tragic story.
The Future is Made of Self Healing Concrete
Keep tabs on the most recent technological advancements we're likely to see in the near future.
Scientists Develop Ultra White Paint That Could Cool Homes
Scientists developed ultra white paint that reflects 98.1 percent of sunlight. They claim that it can be used as a substitute for air conditioning.
19 Things to AVOID to Make Your Phone Live Longer
19 common mistakes we all make, that make our phones age quicker.
Do You Have One Of These RARE Genetic Traits?
How unique are you? You might have several rare genetic traits that make you unlike most of the world's population!
eSIM vs Traditional SIM: What’s the Big Difference?
Are eSIMs and iSIMs the future of connectivity?
This Secret Invention Changed the Course of WW2
Let’s take a closer look at the proximity fuze, also called Vt Fuze, an invention that changed the course of the second World War.
This Video Will Show You Where We Are in the Universe!
Where is our galaxy in the known universe? This video will fly with you to ever-larger destinations, showing you our little planet's cosmic address from a very large viewpoint.
Travel From the Sun to Pluto With Our Interactive Guide!
The solar system is a fascinating place, and we wanted to bring you an interactive journey that you can use to travel through it. Enjoy the journey!
11 Practical Technologies That Will Help Fight Flooding
These amazing innovations will be real handy during a flood.
26 Incredible Facts About the Human Mind
The human brain is an interesting and powerful organ, which is why we've gathered 26 interesting facts about exactly how human psychology works.
16 Interesting Things We Bet You've Never Seen Before
Once we have finished school and learned all the necessary skills at work, it may seem that no further studying is necessary. 16 interesting photos you wish you had seen in textbooks at school.
See the World From Up Close - 17 Fascinating Macro Photos
Seeing ordinary objects like honey, paracetamol, and snow through a microscopic lens teaches us how beautiful and intricate they really are!
What Would You Do if You Had an Extra Thumb?
This revolutionary invention has the potential to revolutionize the field of prosthetics.
What Will the Universe Look Like in 10 Quintillion Years?
These questions take us beyond science into the realm of imagination, as we contemplate the ultimate fate of our Universe and everything within it.
8 Ancient Greek Scholars & Their Life-Changing Inventions
The foundations of modern medicine, engineering, biology, and astronomy were set up by these 8 stellar minds more than two thousand years ago.
Why Do You See Colors When You Rub Your Eyes?
Explore the science of afterimages, the visual illusions that linger in your vision following exposure to bright lights or images.
These 11 Brain Facts Are Enough to Boggle Your Mind
When you consider the sheer complexity of the human brain, it's difficult to wrap your head around it. Learn these 11 fascinating facts about the human brain.
10 Unanswered Mysteries You've Always Wondered About!
You might not have thought about the most curious cases of the bizarre things that we encounter every day.
Doctors Make History With First Whole Eye Transplant
Surgeons in New York have performed the world’s first transplant of an entire human eye!
The Psychology Behind Why Some People Are Habitually Late
Now we finally know why some people are habitually late.
How Your Eye Came to Be the Color It Is...
Why do we have different-colored eyes, and what does it mean?
These New Technologies Will Change the World!
These groundbreaking tech innovations are going to change our world!
Science News: New Wonder Mushroom Cleans the Air
Let's learn about a magical new mushroom that is not only enriching the soil for farmers but also capturing CO2 from the air!
Could These Signals Be A Sign of Extraterrestrial Life?
Scientists have recently picked up on a mysterious radio signal from space, and it could mean a lot - maybe even a sign from extraterrestrial life forms.
What’s it Like Using a 115-Inch TV?!
This colossal 115-Inch TV will transform your viewing experience forever.
9 Great NASA Inventions That Took the World By Storm!
For around six decades, NASA have been inventing top-notch products. Here are nine great examples!
Neanderthals Had Strength and Skills Beyond Our Limits
Neanderthals possessed truly exceptional, almost unbelievable, traits.
Chocolate Exposed! Here's What It Does to Your Brain!
Just what is it that makes chocolate so irresistible to so many people around the world? Find all of the answers in the article.
Can One Photo Really Tell How Good Your Eyesight Is?
Scientists say that this single photograph can tell you whether you have good vision or not. Who can you see in the image?
6 Harmful Toxins You Didn’t Know You Encounter Daily
These toxic chemicals can be found in everyday products and can be extremely dangerous to us.
20 Amazingly Simple Inventions That Make Life Easier
Some wonderful inventions can fix some of the most annoying little problems that bug us every single day. Here are 20 of the most inventive ideas I've ever seen that I can't believe no one has invented before.
The Oldest Medicines That Have Stood the Test of Time
Learn about some fascinating old medicine and general healing practices that have survived for thousands of years.
Physicist Michio Kaku: The Universe in a Nutshell...
Physicist Michio Kaku explains the fundamental nature of our universe
You Won't Believe What Passes for a Phone in North Korea
You won't believe what phones look like in North Korea!
Science Breakthrough: An Immunization Against Skin Cancer?
This scientific breakthrough offers hope for those who are struggling with skin cancer. You are now invited to discover more about this revolutionary vaccine.
New Study: Are Dogs Even More Intelligent than We Thought?
New study sheds more light on canine intelligence, making some fascinating discoveries.
These Ancient Inventions Have Got Scientists Stumped!
Here are 12 items from long ago which prove that our ancestors possessed knowledge and skills far more advanced than we once believed them to be.
Keep Your Home Safe with These Handy Gadgets
These 13 devices will transform your home security.
15 Beautiful Carl Sagan Quotes on the Stars and the Cosmos
A look at some profound quotes on the universe by famous astronomer and cosmologist Carl Sagan.
Let's Learn All About Your White Blood Cells
White blood cells (WBCs) are the part of your immune system which is responsible for fighting infection. Learn all about them here!
The Channel Tunnel - The 7th Wonder of the Modern World!
The construction of the Channel Tunnel is said to be an impossible feat!
10 Smart Home Gadgets You Didn’t Know You Needed
If you’ve ever wanted a smarter, more efficient home, these 10 gadgets might be exactly what you need.
Boston Dynamic's Robot Does Some Incredible Things...
Boston Dynamics shows us again what her lead robot can do.
To enable your Ad-Free Subscription, please fill the fields below
Your subscription was successful, now you can enjoy an ad-free experience!!
Note: To make sure you get no ads, please make sure to log in to your account. If you are logged in already, then refresh the page. The subscription can be cancelled at any time.