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News Release 16-067
Creating printable, programmable machines
NSF-funded researchers from MIT, the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard work to create methods for rapid robot customization
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The self-folding mobile prototype developed by researchers at MIT and Harvard.
Credit: Harvard's Wyss Institute
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The new robot consists of two layers of structural material sandwiching a material that shrinks when heated. A pattern of slits in the outer layers determines how the robot will fold when the middle layer contracts.
Credit: Melanie Gonick/MIT
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Daniela Rus is the Andrew and Erna Viterbi Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at MIT.
Credit: Bryce Vickmark
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From sketches, to design, to printing, fabrication and ultimately control, this new project would completely automate the process, leading to potential transformations in advanced manufacturing and more widespread robot customization and creative use.
Credit: Daniela Rus, Harvard University
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