IMAGINE an automaton that can design itself, assemble itself and even kill itself. No, it’s not the liquid metal robot from Terminator 2-but this droid can certainly build itself to perform a particular task, melt itself down and recycle itself, say researchers in Massachusetts.
The scientists have developed what they call a polymorphic robot-a machine that can change its shape to suit the job in hand. Shape-shifting robots could be used as planetary explorers, or for search-and-rescue missions, changing their shape to meet each new challenge and adapting to strange and unpredictable environments.
The researchers have produced a simple thermoplastic-framed…
