Now that scientists have figured out how to make robots out of softer materials, there’s a race on to make the most animal-shaped bots and find the best use for them. Now, ponder this: what requires deft, precise movement? Answer: microsurgery. Okay, and what small animal is known for deft, precise movements? Answer: spiders.
Harvard scientists have crafted a proof of concept for a soft robot made in the image of a peacock spider. This little doodad is only about a millimeter long, and is composed of 12 layers of silicone rubber. In lieu of mechanical parts, there are channels of special hydraulic liquid running through the spider’s body.
By pumping in and out in specific ways, the spider can move its limbs. The scientists have coined this system as “Microfluidic Origami for Reconfigurable Pneumatic/Hydraulic,” or “MORPH” for short. Give ’em bonus points for the cool acronym.
This spider can’t do a whole lot in its current state, but the team believes that future iterations of MORPH devices could be precise enough for intricate surgery work while still being small enough to fit wherever they need to. That’s right; your next surgeon could very well be a microscopic spider crawling around inside you. Try not to think too hard about that.
