New Biological Robots Build Themselves

SPACE.com ^ | September 28, 2005 | Ker Than

[AntiGuv]

Inspired by biological systems, scientists have developed miniature robots that can self-assemble using parts that float randomly in their environments. The robots also know when something is amiss and can correct their own mistakes.

Scientists have long been fascinated by how living cells are able to replicate DNA using building blocks floating randomly inside the cell’s nucleus. The interior of the nucleus is filled with a gel-like liquid known as nucleoplasm. The DNA building blocks, known as nucleotides, float around in this liquid like ingredients in a molecular soup. Also present in the nucleoplasm are proteins known as polymerases, which pluck nucleotides from the soup as needed when copying DNA.

The beauty of this approach is that the parts do not have to be presented in a specific order the way they are in a car assembly line. All the cell has to do is make sure there is a continuous supply of nucleotides and the polymerases do the rest. Furthermore, the more nucleotides present, the more likely they will come into contact with the polymerases and the faster the DNA strand can be assembled.

To artificially recreate this process, a research team from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), headed by Joseph Jacobson, created robots capable of latching onto one another in specific sequences.

The robots come in two colors, yellow (Y) and green (G), and float around on a cushion of air like pucks on an air hockey table. Each robot is programmed to latch onto a green robot on one side and a yellow robot on the other to form 5-robot strings such as YGGYY or GYYGG.

The robots also have a built-in mechanism to correct any errors they might make. Each robot is able to check the color of its neighboring block and will unlatch itself if the sequence is not correct.

The study is detailed in the Sept. 29 issue of the journal Nature.

[AntiGuv]

grey goo!

[AntiGuv]

FutureTechPing!

An emergent technologies list covering biomedical research, fusion power, nanotech, AI robotics, and other related fields. FReepmail to join or drop.

[Red Badger]

Been there done that!......

[manwiththehands]

Grey goo is right. Chricton's book "Prey" is good but it could have been a lot better. It's worth reading if you want a brief explanation of how this technology can be created, and how it could run amok.

[ClearCase_guy]

To artificially recreate this process, a research team from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), headed by Joseph Jacobson, created robots capable of latching onto one another in specific sequences.

Figures its MIT. Those guys are bright. You really have to be Intelligent to Design something like this. I mean, it wouldn't just pop into existence through random acts in the laboratory, you know?

[camle]

i'm somehow reminded of the broom and the sorcerer's apprentice.

[Nathan Zachary]

LoL! I can see where this thread is heading. I'm glad the guys at MIT made intelligent design a little easier for some people to grasp.

[OSHA]

Main Entry: sub·tle·ty
Pronunciation: 's&-t&l-tE
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural -ties
Etymology: Middle English sutilte, from Middle French sutilté, from Latin subtilitat-, subtilitas, from subtilis
1 : the quality or state of being subtle
2 : something subtle

[Joe Brower]

[Rebelbase]

Another key component of Skynet.

[GreenLanternCorps]

No, more like Cylons...

[Sthitch]

If you read this closely you will see that there is nothing in common with what is known as "Grey Goo". All they have done is develop nano-machines that can create other nano-machines out of other nano-machines. The theory behind "Grey Goo" is that a machine can create a replica of itself by using raw materials available in the environment. That is not what happened at MIT.

[George from New England]

We need to be sure that the Calif Governor cannot become president. He has ties to skynet.

[AntiGuv]

I know, but it's a step along the way!

[NaughtiusMaximus]

When can I get one that can do the housework? (Oh yes, and fetch me a beer.)

[Sthitch]

No, not really. This has little or nothing to do with true replication. This is simply self assembly. The individual devices need to have the components manufactured for them before they can assemble. Last year I read a well done article that debunks the whole "Grey Goo" theory, if I can find the link again I will reply with it.

[AntiGuv]

Please do if you find it; I'd be very interested to read it.

[Sthitch]

OK, here it is: Link

It is short, but very informative.

[theFIRMbss]

>grey goo!

[metmom]

I mean, it wouldn't just pop into existence through random acts in the laboratory, you know?


Gee, why not? Statistically speaking... oh wait. It's only living things that it happens to. Non living things don't just happen in nature. Riiiiight.