How do they make chairs that move on their own?

[wolram]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VyzVtTiax80&mode=related&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]

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

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

 

[ranger]

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

It sure does

It turns out that Cornell also masterminded this one:


http://www.news.cornell.edu/stories/Oct06/robotic.chair.aj.html