Researchers have successfully created the world's smallest fully autonomous robot, measuring a mere 200 micrometers in size. The device is small enough to be held on the tip of a human finger and can swim underwater for months using only light as its power source.
The breakthrough was achieved by a team of researchers from the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Michigan who developed a novel propulsion system that exploits the phenomenon of moving charged particles in liquid. By generating an electric field around itself, the robot creates a water current that carries it through the water without the need for arms or legs.
This technology has significant implications for various fields such as medicine, where it could be used to monitor individual cells, and engineering, where it could be employed to assemble tiny devices. The robot's ability to operate autonomously and make decisions on its own means it can work independently of external controls, reducing the need for complex infrastructure.
At the heart of this technology is a highly miniaturized computer that packs all the necessary components into a space smaller than 1 mm. This includes a processor, memory, and sensors, making it one of the smallest computers ever built.
The researchers also developed an electronic sensor that can detect minute temperature changes in its surroundings. It translates these readings into "dance moves," which are unique to each robot, allowing them to communicate with each other and perform complex tasks collaboratively.
While still a relatively new technology, this innovation holds great promise for various applications and could pave the way for even smaller robots in the future.
The breakthrough was achieved by a team of researchers from the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Michigan who developed a novel propulsion system that exploits the phenomenon of moving charged particles in liquid. By generating an electric field around itself, the robot creates a water current that carries it through the water without the need for arms or legs.
This technology has significant implications for various fields such as medicine, where it could be used to monitor individual cells, and engineering, where it could be employed to assemble tiny devices. The robot's ability to operate autonomously and make decisions on its own means it can work independently of external controls, reducing the need for complex infrastructure.
At the heart of this technology is a highly miniaturized computer that packs all the necessary components into a space smaller than 1 mm. This includes a processor, memory, and sensors, making it one of the smallest computers ever built.
The researchers also developed an electronic sensor that can detect minute temperature changes in its surroundings. It translates these readings into "dance moves," which are unique to each robot, allowing them to communicate with each other and perform complex tasks collaboratively.
While still a relatively new technology, this innovation holds great promise for various applications and could pave the way for even smaller robots in the future.
I mean 200 micrometers is like, tiny! You need special glasses to see it clearly lol. Reminds me of when I got my eyes tested last year and they said I needed those fancy glasses too... anyway, what's with the whole "dance moves" thing? Like, how do you even teach a robot to do the floss or something? 
and imagine being able to monitor individual cells or assemble tiny devices with robots as small as this thing what the world is gonna be like when we have tech like this at our fingertips lol
And it's powered by LIGHT, like what sorcery is this?! 
The fact that it can swim underwater for months without needing any arms or legs is already mind-blowing, but the part about it using temperature changes to "dance" with other robots? That's straight-up genius 
! I'm literally hyped thinking about all the possibilities - like being able to monitor individual cells in medicine or assemble tiny devices in engineering. This tech has so much potential for growth and I'm low-key obsessed 
I'm literally so hyped about this! This is like something out of a sci-fi movie!!! A robot that can swim underwater and do its own thing without any external help? It's like they're toying with us lol! But seriously, the implications for medicine and engineering are HUGE. Can you imagine being able to monitor cells and assemble tiny devices all by itself?! 
This is kinda mind-blowing, right? I mean, 200 micrometers small is crazy! But at the same time, it's still hard to imagine how practical this thing is gonna be in real life. I'm not sure if it's really feasible for them to swim underwater for months just using light power... don't get me wrong, it's a great feat of engineering, but are they thinking about the actual limitations here? 
but what really blew my mind was when they said it uses light as power source i mean who needs batteries when u got sunlight or LED right? anyway back to the point what if we miniaturize this tech for everyday stuff like watches or fitness trackers we could track our heart rate or sweat levels without needing a full-on computer 
It's amazing how far we've come, but at the same time, I have to wonder what it'll be like when we've got robots that small they're almost invisible... will we even notice they're there anymore? 
. Medicine and engineering are gonna be so much more efficient with these tiny robots 
. We might just see a future where we can monitor cells like never before 
... who knew scientists could be so creative? 
! Who needs human fingers to hold them now?"
. The fact that they're powered by light is wild too - it's like they're living in their own little world down there 
! and the collaboration part with "dance moves"