Invented the world's smallest remote control robot

This crab-shaped robot, smaller than a flea, is extremely maneuverable, it can bend, twist, crawl, walk, spin and even jump. The research is published in the journal Science Robotics and opens the door to many useful future applications.

The micro robot moves with the help of a laser.

Inspired by children's stereoscopic books

The head of the above research is scientist John A.Rogers. Robotics is an interesting area of ​​research, and the development of microrobots is a fascinating topic to explore, he said.

According to the person in charge of the theoretical problem of the work, Mr. Yonggang Huang, they already have the technology to control many modes of motion of the microrobot. However, this robot moves much slower than a flea and every second it travels half the length of its body.

Achieving such a capability in a micro-walking robot is a huge challenge, said Yonggang Huang. But now they can build a walking robot in any size or 3D shape.

To create such a small creature half a millimeter wide, Rogers and Huang turned to a technique they introduced eight years ago. It's an assembly method inspired by children's stereoscopic books.

First, the team built an early version of the walking crab structure in flat geometry. They then glued the structure to a slightly stretched rubber sole. When the tensioned substrate is released, a controlled jolt process takes place causing the crab to 'pop' into precisely defined 3-D forms.

Do not use the engine

The crab robot is smaller than the thickness of a coin.

Microrobots shaped like crabs and smaller than the thickness of a coin are not powered by complex hardware, either hydraulically or electrically. Instead, its strength lies in the body's resilience.

The scientists used a 'shape memory alloy' material that remembers its original shape so that it can transform into a 'remembered' shape when subjected to heat.

In this case, the researchers used an incoming laser beam to rapidly heat the robot at various targeted locations on them.

A thin, resilient glass coating helps the robot's parts return to their original shape when cooled. The robot's legs can be bent so that it can stand up. It will stand on its own feet until the heat causes it to move.

When the robot above changes from one stage of motion to another, i.e. transforms into a memorized and repeated shape, it generates motion.

Lasers are used to apply heat to different areas of the robot so it can move. This type of beam not only remotely controls to activate the robot, but also determines its direction. For example, scanning the laser from left to right will make the robot move.

Because these structures are so small, the cooling rate is very fast, explains Mr. Rogers. This makes the robot amazingly responsive even at up to 10 cycles per second. Meanwhile, reducing the size of these robots allows them to run faster.

The future of technology

The tiny robots are built using a technique inspired by children's stereoscopic books.

With this approach, the team of scientists at Northwestern University was able to develop robots of various shapes and sizes. During the crafting process, they involve students of their various levels.

Ideas were combined to create robots with many animal forms. Some students were interested in the sideways movement of the crab, so the crab robot was born with the ability to twist, flip, and jump.

'With these new materials and assembly techniques, we can build a walking robot of almost any size or 3D shape. However, students feel excited and interested in the sideways movement of small crabs. It's a very creative idea.

You can imagine, microrobots could be used to repair or assemble small structures or machines in industry or as surgical assistants to open blocked arteries, stop bleeding inside the body. or remove cancerous tumors – all with minimally invasive procedures,' says John A.Rogers.

Last September, the same group of engineers also introduced a winged microchip that is the smallest man-made flying structure. The researchers also developed millimeter-sized robots like caterpillars, crickets and beetles.

While the research is currently exploratory and scholarly, the scientists believe their technology has the potential to bring the field closer to the creation of microrobots, ensuring take on missions in confined spaces.