Release date: 2008-07-22
In a groundbreaking development, microcomputers are now showing immense potential in the medical field. Researchers at Duke University have created a tiny robot, just a few micrometers in size, capable of performing complex movements on a stage smaller than the tip of a needle. These miniature machines can even dance to music, marking a significant leap in the field of micro-robotics.
After years of research, scientists have developed micro-robots that operate without traditional control systems, showcasing self-directed behavior. Professor Bruce Donald from Duke University, who specializes in computer science and biochemistry, described the achievement as remarkable. Each robot resembles a tongue depressor but is significantly smaller—nearly 100 times lighter than previous models. These robots, once called micro-electric system robots, were designed to perform tasks such as walking in a lab setting. A video from the team shows two of these robots dancing to a waltz by Strauss, all within a space just 1 mm in size. Another demonstration highlights how their brush-like arms can rotate delicately, mimicking the movement of a vacuum cleaner sweeping up dust.
The latest study details how five micro-robots can work together under a single control system, marking the first time researchers have successfully achieved wireless control over multiple micro-robots. The findings will be published in an upcoming issue of Micro-Electrical Systems. Scientists used microchip technology to create these tiny machines, which respond differently to a global control signal based on the voltage at their working parts. This process is similar to how proteins in cells react to chemical signals. Donald also applied computer algorithms to simulate biochemical reactions, allowing the robots to move, turn, and surround objects in pre-programmed ways.
Since 1992, Donald has been exploring micro-robotics, starting his research at Cornell University before moving to Stanford and Dartmouth. His earliest designs were inspired by microbial cilia, enabling robots to move across microchips. In earlier studies, he placed 15,000 silicon cilia on a 1-square-inch area, creating small robotic structures that could move like rulers. These early robots were about 60 microns wide, 250 microns long, and 10 microns high, powered by charged surfaces. They moved using a "catch-up" type driver, taking thousands of steps in a single motion.
Experts like Ray Kuzwell believe that micro-robots will revolutionize medicine, particularly in treating vascular conditions. Scientists in the U.S. and Europe have already developed micro-robots for use in human blood vessels, with future applications including capillary navigation. Such robots could enter the brain, leading to new concepts of artificial intelligence where robots and the human brain are integrated. This could enhance cognitive functions and extend human capabilities beyond current limits.
Previously, the main challenge was balancing computing power with miniaturization. However, modern microchips now allow these robots to operate efficiently. By collaborating with the human brain, future AI systems may merge biological and non-biological intelligence, creating smarter machines. Supercomputers today can already perform over 100 million calculations per second, paving the way for advanced brain scanning and modeling. As scientists continue to understand the brain's structure, they are developing mathematical models that could lead to fully integrated robotic intelligence.
While some fear the rise of machine intelligence could threaten humanity, experts argue that robots are ultimately tools created by humans. Current research aims to place micro-robots in the bloodstream, where they could act like white blood cells, detecting and destroying pathogens quickly. In the future, similar robots might navigate the brain, enhancing cognitive abilities and expanding human consciousness. This represents a bold step toward a future where human and machine intelligence coexist and evolve together. ——Shanghai Medical Device Industry Association
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