From Google News

Modular Robots can be described as self building Robots which are independent entities and unlike fixed-morphology robots, they can intentionally change their own shape by reorganizing the connectivity of their parts, in order to adapt to new conditions, execute new tasks, or recover from damage. A modular Robot can take on the shape of a worm to pass through small holes or to move through a small pipe. They can even form a ball so that they can roll fast on any smooth surface. They can also be used to make fixed shapes like shelters or buildings or wall.

John Romanishin, a student at MIT suggested a new design of modular robotics which consisted of magnets, flywheels, and laws of physics. Overcoming skepticism from his senior workers, John continued to develop his designs. John joined hands with Professor Daniela Rus and post doc Kyle Gilpin to make the M-Block robots a reality.

M-Block robots, each one a tiny self contained Cube which can leap and through the air and join with other M-Blocks to form a large structure, much like Voltron. Modular robots are often designed using sliding cube models. It is a much simplified design which envisages the two cubes are connected face to face and can also slide over one another. The model is excellent in developing an algorithm which governs the self assembly. The sliding movements are assisted by using motors for movement.

However, the M-Block does away with the complicated motors and actuators. The can effectively do a variety of movements like rolling across the ground, leaping on top of each other, and even climbing metallic surfaces solo or as part of a group. The M-Robot has no external arms or motors or actuators. The movements are effected by the flywheels which are placed inside the cubes. The flywheels can reach speeds exceeding 20000 RPM. Stopping the wheel can throw the cube to considerable distance.

The flywheels are excellent of moving the M-Blocks but what about stopping them. The angular momentum of the flywheels can throw the blocks. It is here the magnets come to play their part. They are placed on a tiny spinning axle so that as one cube approaches the other, the magnets can rotate so the opposite poles connect. One of the faces of any cube can connect with the other cube. All the robot needs to do is to use the flywheel to send itself tumbling or jumping in the close proximity of a second M-Block, and they'll connect.

The unique feature of the M-Blocks is that each unit is independent and the team believes that sub types can also be created to carry useful hardware components. One of the cubes could feature the camera while the other could feature the GPS chip. The future of this concept looks very exciting.

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