The Zippy Microbots That Swarm to Build Structures

[Narrator] Say hello to the littlest robots

you ever did see.

These are microbots, developed at SRI International

in Silicon Valley.

They range in size from just half a millimeter

on a side to about a centimeter.

They're light and quick; like, very quick.

These microbots were inspired by ants, which

despite their small stature, can build

relatively enormous structures.

It's all about team work.

(computer processing)

The magnetic robots jet around on a circuit board,

which generates a magnetic field.

Different individuals have different jobs, carrying around

different components to build complex structures

like this lattice.

To build it, some robots deposit glue, while others

insert the rods.

But the microbots aren't limited to these materials.

In addition to you know, the glue and the

mechanical structure, we can have robots that specialize

in handling active components.

You know, like resistors, LEDs.

[Narrator] That makes this a potentially powerful

alternative to 3D printing, which uses plastic

to build highly detailed, yet relatively weak structures.

Well we can make structures that have

very good mechanical properties, as opposed to

a lot of the 3D printed things that are out right now.

You know, they're made of ABS plastic and they look great,

but mechanically they are very poor.

[Narrator] But that's not to say microbots

will outright replace 3D printing.

They could actually work in conjunction, a 3D printer

building with detail, and the robots adding structural

support, and even electronic components.

And other kinds of microbots could well find uses

besides manufacturing.

Check this out.

These are also magnetic microbots controlled

with a magnetic field, but they're on a far smaller scale.

Like the microscopic scale.

By manipulating the magnetic field, researchers can

get the bots to assemble and capture a living yeast cell.

Such techniques could be big for medicine one day.

Imagine microbots working together to hunt unwanted cells

in your body.

So sure, these microbots may be extra small,

but remember there is no I in team, or in robot

for that matter.