Created the world’s smallest walking robot with remote control

The microrobot niche is still a long way off, but now researchers from northwestern university created what is believed to be the world’s smallest remote-controlled robot.

This little robot can walk, crawl, bend, squirm, jump and even change shape, and lead researcher Yungang Huang he claims to be able to walk at an average speed equal to half his body length per second.

Its mode of locomotion is the most striking aspect of the robot, because instead of relying on tiny electronic devices, the researchers used memory alloy material that changes shape when heated.

So, using a precision laser, they can heat certain parts of the robot to make it change shape. On the other hand, a thin layer of glass helps to cool the parts so that they return to their original shape. It is a remote robot that can move without any hydraulics or electricity.

On the other hand John Rogersa materials scientist at Northwestern University adds that some of the possible uses for this robot are:as agents for the repair or assembly of small structures or machines in industry, or as surgical aids to clear clogged arteries, stop internal bleeding, or remove tumors in minimally invasive procedures.“.

In any case, this robot is still in its early experimental stages and they intend to go further, according to some findings published in the journal Science Robotics.