Mori3: A polygon-based modular robot (all footage and descriptions)

by Christoph Belke, Kevin Holdcroft, Alexander Sigrist, and Jamie Paik.
The Mori3 is a modular robot built by the Reconfigurable Robotics Lab at EPFL.
The Mori3 can change its own shape and function through changing the way modules interconnect.
Each module is their own robot; they have their own power, motors, sensors. By themselves, they can drive around on the ground and change the length of each of their triangular edges. However, working together, they function as a complete system capable of achieving many different types of tasks.
The Mori3 is geared towards difficult to reach environments where the task isn't always known ahead of time, such as space.
For more please see the article linked below:
Morphological flexibility in robotic systems through physical polygon meshing.
doi: 10.1038/s42256-023-00676-8
Abstract - Shape-changing robots adapt their own morphology to address a wider range of functions or environments than is possible with a fixed or rigid structure. Akin to biological organisms, the ability to significantly alter shape or configuration emerges from the underlying mechanical structure, materials, or control methods. Soft robots, for instance, employ malleable materials to adapt to their environment, modular robots assemble multiple units into various three-dimensional (3D) configurations, and insect-like swarm robots interact in large numbers to fulfil tasks. However, the promise of broad functional versatility in shape-changing robots has so far been constrained by the practical implications of either increasing the degree of morphological flexibility or addressing specific applications. Here we report a method for creating robotic systems that realises both sides of this trade-off through the introduction of physical polygon meshing. By abstracting functional 3D structures, collections of shape-changing robotic modules can recreate diverse 3D shapes and dynamically control the resulting morphology. We demonstrate this approach by developing a system of polygon robots that change their own shape, attach to each other, communicate, and reconfigure to form functional and articulated structures. Applying the system to three distinct application areas of robotics involving user-interaction, locomotion, and manipulation, our work demonstrates how physical polygon meshing provides a new framework for more versatile intelligent machines.

[@dzplayer0149]

this is an amazing technology! looking forward to seeing more from you in the near future. best of luck!

[@sexyhermit4522]

You've roboticized the polygon! Just a mater of time before its made micro scale. Anything in game can now become a real machine. Let's try to remain optimistic.

[@elp0p077]

Ancestor of the replicant from stargate sg1 série 😢

[@seiryubox4996]

imagine if bacteria or viruses are just alien robots lol.

[@katerinavialpando3620]

Nanotech. And these fuckers don't have the balls to admit it. And yes. They in a way are

[@priestoffern1608]

Any engineer knows, the more parts that move, the more failure points.
I’m pretty sure #1 feature we need in working robots is safety & reliability. Not shape shifting.

[@TaskSwitcherify]

I love innovation but it could trip over itself. I would make a robot out of liquid metal and perhaps call it T-1000

[@grazynakunc390]

Soon my dear soon ❤

[@qui-gontimtherandomraptor1072]

@@grazynakunc390 **this post was made by the Skynet Foundation**

[@Larock-wu1uu]

Ok cool, but why? :-)

[@YankeeVatnik1917]

I could beat the shit outta that robot. I was worried they made the t200

[@Mistadoblinas]

Absolutely no practical application for this, what a total waste of time and money. Would take 6 hours for it to walk 5 feet and one piece of dust in those joints and it's trash

[@giin97]

The first successful flight was 120 feet with a ground speed of 6.8mph, had pieces shaking off and a crash landing. By the end of the day, a gust of wind collapsed the aircraft, destroying it completely. A complete waste of time and money, yeah? You can run just as fast, it only holds one person, and it breaks too easily. You could walk nearly as quickly, or use a car or a horse far more easily.
Today, the Airbus a380 has a wingspan of 262 feet, over twice that of the entire first flight, can carry hundreds of people at nearly the speed of sound (cruising speed Mach 0.85, top speed Mach 0.96), and they regularly both sit and fly through gusts of wind stronger than what destroyed the Wright Flyer.
The first demonstration of a concept is always just that: a demonstration. It's ugly, ungainly, and completely incapable of accomplishing anything. It exists solely to demonstrate an idea in physical reality, a proof of concept that you can't provide with a video animation.
So yes, this proof of concept device, built to demonstrate the ability to perform specific tasks while under careful manual control with exposed components and a tether indeed has no practical application, nor was it ever claimed that this device would. Smaller, self contained, dozens of sealed segments, moving 100-1000x faster? Now that may have some practical applications.

[@iouri404]

​@@giin97You've just written the best possible answer, which was a relief to read because I was too lazy to take the time to do it, thank you.

[@FargoBJJ]

You understand that there is a whole segment of science who job is to simply create the craziest shit possible just because they can... the application and 'WHY' will be determined later. Thats how most great inventions come about!