With the technology evolving faster than we can even acknowledge, the chances we'll be left behind the times are quite big. After writing about a machine that feeds on metal and changes shapes autonomously the other day, here we are once again completely amazed by these mechanical-ants that communicate to each other and coordinate their actions. Scientists believe these machines could become our future workforce.
Hey, you don’t have to get all alarmed and panicked, it’s not as they are already considering replacing people with them. But the question remains, should we consider a future where cars are completely created by machines? After all, most of the factories are already using robots to handle the big parts around the plant. But let us look closer first.
Since it’s being developed by the same privately owned German industrial control and automation company Festo, the system by which these little fellows function is similar to how the RC butterflies work. We recently wrote about a new system of lightweight swarm RC butterflies that feature an innovative, coordinated flying behaviour in collective.
The mechanical ants work in a similar way, only that researchers have discovered they could carry things around using the power of many. Like their natural role models, the BionicANTs work together under clear rules. According to Festo, they communicate with each other and coordinate their actions and movements among each other.
“The artificial ants thus demonstrate how autonomous individual components can solve a complex task together working as an overall networked system,” its creators explains. The production method itself is unique, as the laser-sintered components are embellished with visible conductor structures in the 3D MID process. This means that they take on design and electrical functions at the same time.
We’re not saying they will, just that it’s possible. Just take a look at what they are capable of in the video below and tell us what you think.
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