Harvard and Seoul National University researchers have created small robots inspired by nature’s swarms, like ant colonies or fish schools. These robots, called link-bots, are simple, centimeter-sized particles connected in V-shaped chains. They move and work together without batteries or complex controls, showing behaviors that look lifelike. The study is published in Science Advances.
Link-bots are made of 3D-printed pieces with tilted legs, allowing them to wiggle forward on a vibrating surface. They don’t need sensors or computers, unlike typical swarm robots, which use energy-heavy parts like wireless systems or algorithms. Instead, link-bots show emergent collective behavior, where simple units create complex actions by interacting. This makes them low-power and efficient.
Coordinated movements and tasks
By changing how the chains are linked, link-bots can move forward, stop, or turn when they hit a wall. They can squeeze through small spaces, block openings, or surround and carry objects. Several link-bots can work together to tackle tasks too hard for one, like crossing obstacles. These abilities come from their simple design and interactions, not from detailed programming.
To understand how link-bots behave, a computer model was built to test different chain designs and numbers of particles. This model showed how small changes affect movement and helped predict new actions that were hard to test in real experiments. The findings suggest that the robots’ abilities come from their shape and connections, not from centralized controls.
The researchers see link-bots as a step toward future uses, like sorting objects or moving things without much energy. The approach mimics how nature creates complex behaviors from simple parts, like in evolution. Instead of planning every action, the robots rely on self-organization, where behaviors emerge naturally from interactions. This could inspire new ways to design robots or understand biology, showing how simple rules can lead to powerful results.