Researchers develop liquid-like robot swarm that can support human weight

Researchers at UC Santa Barbara and TU Dresden have developed a new type of robot swarm that can flow like liquid and support human weight. These robots can change shape and harden into tools, capable of lifting up to 150 pounds. The robots, inspired by living cells, can form structures that adapt to different tasks. They can create bridges, collapse into a flowing state, and reform as functional tools, controlled by their design and external signals. This advancement builds on previous robotic designs that lacked the ability to support weight while remaining dynamic. The new robots incorporate features from embryonic tissues, allowing them to rearrange and adapt while maintaining structural integrity.