Researchers at Northwestern University in Illinois have created a water-based robot that can perform a variety of functions, including moving things, catalyzing chemical reactions, and even dancing. The robot, like a small animal, is soft on the outside, as it is 90% water, and has a nickel base on the inside that can change shape in response to external magnetic fields. These robots are tiny – about the size of a coin – but they can perform several tasks, such as walking at the speed of the average person, as well as collecting and carrying things. According to the researchers of who created the tiny robot are expected to make even smaller versions of it – small enough to operate at the microscopic level, possibly for drug delivery programs directly in the patient’s body. Robots can also be programmed to work on a “swarm” scheme, which would allow them to combine to solve larger tasks, such as suturing in the event of an injury. Anyway, such technology can be used in any field of activity and will be helpful everywhere.
Resource: https://news.northwestern.edu/stories/2020/12/aquatic-soft-robot-inspired-by-sea-creatures-walks-rolls-transports-cargo/
I can not really see a potential of this product yet, but I am sure it is an invention worth observing. On the addition, it is truly adorable! I am just wondering if it can be safely dissolved inside the human body in the case of of medications transportation.
The idea is very cool, but it seems to me that there is little potential here. The robot is very small to do some important tasks. Also, in my opinion, a big plus of robots is that they are very durable, but this one is 90% water