Wednesday, November 20, 2013

11/20/2013 Weekly Tech Article

Bug-Inspired Robot Designed to do our Dirty Work: Termite Builders


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  • Although termites are best known for damaging wooden structures, they are among nature's greatest builders.
  • Harvard computer scientist Radhika Nagpal and her colleagues in the TERMES Project are making artificial termites that can, like their natural counterparts, build structures much bigger than themselves. These robots look like an upside down wheelbarrow supported by four "whegs," hybrid wheel/legs.
  • It's size if about 7 inches long by 4 inches wide by 4 inches tall.
  • It weighs about 28.5 ounces.
  • Its speed is about 4 inches per second.
  • Its applications are: construction, especially in extreme environments or other dangerous places.
  • http://discovermagazine.com/2013/may/14-bug-inspired-robots-designed-to-do-our-dirty-work#.UozEBsTNWGN


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