Can Microscopic Organic-Powered Machines Navigate and Replicate in 3D Space?

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The discussion centers around the conceptualization of a small autonomous device, resembling a fly, with specific capabilities such as negotiating 3-D space, self-replication, and deriving power from organic materials. The device is intended as a humorous retort in scientific settings, particularly to challenge the grandeur of large scientific instruments like those at the Large Hadron Collider. Participants express skepticism about the current technological advancements in creating such devices, suggesting that significant progress has not been made over the past centuries. The conversation touches on the potential implications of advanced microcontrollers and autonomous systems, raising concerns about their applications in warfare and the risks of misuse by individuals. Overall, the thread balances humor with a serious exploration of the feasibility and ethical considerations of developing such technology.
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Requirements:

  • Between .5cm and 1cm large.
  • It must negotiate 3-D space in an air atmosphere.
  • It must be capable of autonomous existence.
  • It must be capable of high-g acceleration to rapidly start and stop.
  • It must be able to remain stationary on a surface at any spatial orientation.
  • It must self-replicate.
  • It must derive power from organics such as sugar and poop.
  • It must be able to detect and evade moving objects.
  • It must exhibit a preference to orbit the heads of humans.
  • It is desirable that it emit a general buzzing sound. The louder the better.

Use:
There may be broader applications for this device, but the primary use is as a response to the following scenario:

If you are invited to visit the Large Hadron Collider, and some scientist there starts bragging about the colossal scientific instruments they have, a devastating response would be to open up a matchbox and say, "Oh yeah? Got one of these?", and let the machine leave the matchbox and hopefully begin buzzing orbits around the bragging scientist's head.

Budget is tight.
 
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http://www.infovisual.info/02/img_en/040%20Morphology%20of%20a%20fly%20(lateral).jpg
 
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Haha at both. I love your response Root.
 
Perfect! How much for this... fly?
 
KAckermann said:
Perfect! How much for this... fly?

It depends on what options you want. Hind legs are extra
 
Is there a point to this thread?
 
Beyond levity, you mean?
 
Cyrus, let them have fun, lol, nobody's going to die, I promise.
 
<i>Is there a point to this thread?</i>

Yes, there is. How far are we away from building such a thing?
 
  • #10
Try google.
 
  • #11
I would contend we are not significantly closer to engineering a fly than we were 25 years ago. Or 250 years ago, for that matter.
 
  • #12
I always get leery when mentioning this, but the things that can be done with a $4.00 microcontroller these days are frightening. I was cringing during the Iraq war that we would start to see autonomous M-50 machine guns on rooftops that could target the whup-whup of helicopters. Something like that would make close-air support quite difficult.

Asymetrical can mean many things. One of these days, one of our UAV's will be responding to alternate commands, and those commands might be coming from a curious and resourceful 15-year-old kid.
 
  • #13
*This Machine is Alive! Microscopic Motor Runs on Microbes*

How small do you want to go??

http://www.livescience.com/common/media/video/player.php?videoRef=TinyDriver

http://www.livescience.com/technology/060828_micrbobe_motor.html

Need a microscopic chain drive??

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1200/is_/ai_83477555
 
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