M-BLOCKS : MODULAR SELF ASSEMBLING ROBOTS

-BY-CHINNAM BHARATH KUMAR

10c91A0520

-INTERNAL GUIDE-PROF. G. CHARLES BABU

HOD-CSE

M-BLOCKS• A prototype of a new modular robot that can

transform into any shape.• They are robots with no external moving parts.• Each modular robot is equipped with enough

processing power to do some tasks autonomously.

M-BLOCKS (cont..)These modular robots are more like dice

equipped with power of moving, jumping and attaching itself to another blocks.

capable of reconfiguring themselves into different forms, shapes and sizes, and changing their function accordingly.

M-BLOCKS

INSIDE M-BLOCKSEach M-Block is equipped with a fly-wheel

which rotate with the speed of 20,000 rpm, a onboard with some processing power.

M-Blocks have strong magnets on its edges and surfaces which help them to held together with another blocks.

INSIDE M-BLOCKS(cont..)

INSIDE M-BLOCKS(cont..)Some blocks might carry cameras,

lights, or grippers to maneuver objects or handle tools.

They carry fuel for it’s working i.e. LiPo battery.

HOW M-BLOCKS WORKInside each M-Block is a flywheel that

can reach speeds of 20,000 revolutions per minute.

when the flywheel is braked, it imparts its angular momentum to the cube. Which lets the cube to move.

HOW M-BLOCKS WORKOn each edge of an M-Block, and on

every face, are cleverly arranged permanent magnets that allow any two cubes to attach to each other.

Magnets on the corners of the blocks are used for course correction and stability.

HOW M-BLOCKS WORKChamfered edges on the cubes enhance the

strength of the magnetism as the cubes rotate over each other to take up their new positions.

The connection between the cubes becomes much stronger, anchoring the pivot.

M-BLOCKS IN ACTION

GOALS OF M-BLOCKDesign self-assembling and self-

reconfiguring robot systems.Modular robots with the ability of changing

their geometry according to task and this is exciting because a robot designed for a single task has a fixed architecture.

GOALS OF M-BLOCKModular robotics research is to be

able to miniaturize modules to such an extent that swarms of self-assembling microbots.

M-BLOCKS IN FUTUREIn the future, m-blocks envisions

equipping special blocks with more horsepower to pull weaker blocks along.

Eventually, some blocks might carry cameras, lights, or grippers to maneuver objects or handle tools.

M-BLOCKS IN FUTUREAdvanced versions of M-Blocks might be used

to repair infrastructure, build and reconfigure scaffolding, or assemble furniture or heavy equipment.

Reduced to Nano scale, swarms of M-Blocks might become the voxels of self-assembling macro-bots.

M-BLOCKS IN FUTUREThe smaller the block—the higher

the robot’s voxel resolution. Or made compatible with human biology, they could be used to attack tumors or repair organs.

Bibliography http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2013/

simple-scheme-for-self-assembling-robots-1004.html

http://alum.mit.edu/pages/sliceofmit/2013/10/16/m-blocks-robotic-cubes-that-assemble-themselves

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