Robots classified as “modular self reconfigurable robots” have shape shifting properties that allow them to adapt to unknown situations. These robots are decentralized with individual modules that contribute to the processing and execution of tasks. The modules attach via magnets and have the ability to separate into a swarm or join into a single robot. This marks a significant advancement in robotics. It is believed that they can make the robots even more robust by adding more feedback from low level components.

Key Takeaways:

• The shape-shifting capacity of modular self-reconfigurable robots gives the robots the ability to adapt to unknown circumstances.
• Self-configurable robots have their roots in the era of the transformers, that is three decades ago.
• Most modular self-reconfigurable robots have the ability to separate into a swarm or align into a single unit.

“The key to achieving adaptability for robots rests in centralized sensory processing, environmental perception, and decision-making software, Kress-Gazit and colleagues report this week in a new paper in Science Robotics. The authors claim their new work represents the first time a modular robot has autonomously solved problems by reconfiguring in response to a changing environment.”

Read more: https://spectrum.ieee.org/automaton/robotics/robotics-hardware/transformerbots