Here is a robot that is the first of it’s kind, and a little odd too. This is a blob-like robot that inflates and deflates different areas of the outer body in order to roll a certain direction. The robotic shape-shifting principle is similar to the older robotic wheel design, these robots basically are always “tumbling over” rather than rolling. In order to maintain a constant rolling motion, they basically are in a constant state of “falling over” in a controlled direction. However in contrast to the older wheel design, this robot cannot fall on it’s side because it can roll in any axis. Also, this robot is capable of becoming extremely flat in order to fit under or through something. It’s a brilliant design and is capable of many new kinds of applications. At this point most the development is geared toward the military since there is a demand from DARPA for new kinds of spider-like robots. Some of these new robots could get pretty scary!

Links:

http://spectrum.ieee.org/blog/robotics/robotics-software/automaton/irobot-soft-morphing-blob-chembot

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10375216-1.html

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17912_3-9970345-72.html?tag=mncol;txt

http://news.cnet.com/8301-10784_3-9935339-7.html?tag=mncol;txt

The software for the CandyFab 4000 3D printing machine is designed to be open source for the DIY do it yourself home builder. Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories wants this project to be available for interested hobbyists who want an alternative more affordable rapid prototyping machine. The open source software makes this a project that other people can help improve as well. Hopefully in the near future the designs will be greatly improved with higher resolution prototypes.

The CandyFab 4000 printer is the cheapest 3d printer available today, the total cost of building this 3D printer is only around $1000 plus some spare parts laying around. That is much less than any other design out there. And not only that, you can build it yourself! There are even 3D Google Sketchup models available online for free. All you have to do is order the parts and send some of the parts to local machine shops to make the parts and then you have you very own personal 3d Printer! I think it’s a great project because the materials are so affordable! At the cost of only $1000 you could even build more than one! B)

Links:

Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories