Self-Replicating Robot Incoming
August 1st, 2008
Developers have created the first artificial self-reproducing robot! It can “print” out replicas of its body parts. Those parts then need to by human assembled, but that’s a good start I’d say!
This is increadibly awesome news! The best part about it all is that they are releasing this self-replicating robot FOR FREE like Linux and Firefox! It doesn’t make sense how they’ll make their profit to compensate the time, effort and likely money that’ve gone into making this thing funtional on a distribution level.
RepRap is short for replicating rapid-prototyper and employs a technique called ‘additive fabrication’.
The machine works like a printer, but rather than squirting ink onto paper, it puts down thin layers of molten biodegradable plastic which solidify. These layers are built up to make three-dimensional objects.
RepRap has, so far, been capable of making everyday plastic goods such as door handles, sandals and coat hooks. Now, the machine has also succeeded in copying all its own 3D-printed parts.
The fact that you can redesign models to your liking and then have this bot 3D-print that object makes it all the cooler adding TRUE individuality to the whole share-freely model.
Meanwhile, others are working to give robots their independence by allowing them to get power from “food” such as carrots and compost. Prof Chris Melhuish’s team at Bristol Robots Laboratory UK came up with Ecobot II – which can eat dead flies or plant matter, such as apples. “The robot uses the oxygen in air rather than exotic chemicals – so you could stretch a point by saying it breathes too. ”
The Bristol team is now working on a robot that can “poo” – remove its waste material – though Prof Melhuish says “we still have some way to go.”
…and why am I excited about technology that has robots eating and pooing? Who cares! Its figgin sweet is all I can say. One step closer to robots being “alive” enough to create moral complications: In my lifetime, PLEASE, PLEASE!
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