Robot how?

wolram

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VyzVt...elated&search=

How do they do this?

Danger

Each module is a robot unto itself, as in having a microprocessor, power source, and actuators. The connectors provide a data link as well as the ability to twist, so they all communicate with one another and 'decide' how to configure themselves to accomplish something. It's really quite ingenious. Check out both Gizmag and How Stuff Works; they have good articles on all sorts of weird robots.

ranger

You can find a lot of goodies here:
http://ccsl.mae.cornell.edu/research/selfrep/

Have you seen the one with the chair that collapses and repairs itself?

wolram

Interesting, thanks guys.

Danger

No, but it sounds like the basis for a good practical joke.

ranger

It sure does

It turns out that Cornell also masterminded this one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEMx0-4Z1jo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4h0XTqjWhU
http://www.news.cornell.edu/stories/....chair.aj.html