How about wearing little buglike robots as a fashion statement? Researchers at MIT and Stanford have designed miniature bots that can cling to clothing. The goal is for these Rovables to be able to assemble into other devices, like a wristwatch or jewelry, in order to provide versatile wearables as well as to make a statement. Engadget took a look at the design last week.
The key was to make the robots able to ‘rove’ around on clothing, without needing to add any special adhesive or material to everyday outfits. They do this by gripping from both sides of the clothing, using magnetic wheels. The result is part whimsical and part creepy, as robots snap together to make nametags or hang out on a sleeve to provide motion tracking. It might not be any more efficient than a cell phone, but it makes for an eye-catching experiment.
However, one of the most important aspects of robots living on clothes is the robots’ ability to operate in 3D space, and the researchers are having some trouble with that. For now, the robots can only move in a straight line, because the researchers haven’t yet found out how to build a micro-controller that can run algorithms needed for 3D movement.
One problem they have solved in a neat way is charging: the robots can move for 45 minutes on one charge, and can be powered up wirelessly. If the Rovables are stored away in a pocket not being used, naturally their battery life will last longer.
“Applications include on-body sensing, modular displays, tactile feedback and interactive clothing and jewelry,” the team wrote in their publication of their research.
The Rovables were first announced at the Symposium on User Interface Software and Technology in Tokyo.
