Spectacular show of over 1,000 robots

Researchers at Harvard University have created and found a way to make 1024 tiny robots work together to create spectacularly-shaped or synchronous displays.

Under the patent, the tiny three-legged robots were named Kilobots . They weigh just the equivalent of 3 coins and cost about $ 14 per robot.

Other researchers have also attempted to develop the idea of a robot working in groups , hoping to one day build a tiny robot army capable of digging into ruins after an earthquake. to search for victims, or to enter areas where people can not. However, the highest number of combined robots ever created was only 100.

James McLurkin, director of multi-robot labs at Rice University, commented that the work of the Harvard researchers was a "technological splendor". This expert explained, the production of 1,000 robots was difficult, making them all work together smoothly even more wonderful.

In a research report published in the journal Science, Harvard researchers said they designed the software to allow robots to use each other's information to act. For example, when robots are guided into a shape, they follow the path of the group and measure their distance with a robot acting as a marker.

Due to the large number of robots created, the team had to mobilize many people to assemble them as well as take a long time to charge and activate the tiny army.

However, this is only the first stage. Researchers have begun to find ways to make their Kilobots even more compact.