MIT researchers to develop robots that can build other robots

Scientists are close to developing a robot that can build anything including other robots. Those who pursue robotics have been working toward self-replicating robots for a long time and it is considered a sought-after milestone.

Researchers at MIT's Center for Bits and Atoms (CBA) have built an assembly system that puts a number of robots to work. They can move independently and build large objects. The system also utilises actuators and grippers to build other robots, said a paper published in the journal Nature Communications Engineering.

This system is not yet fully autonomous but it is a big step toward the milestone. It has the ability to deal with complex tasks and decide the size of the robot or the structure of the robot. It can also organise a group of robots to build a structure that does not crash into each other.

Scientists Amira Abdel-Rahman told The Indian Express the system has PCB boards that can transmit power and data. What makes the current version a success is that it can decide by itself when is the time to build a larger version of itself. "They can build the structure more efficiently. The system has to make choices every step of the way. It can either build a structure, or build another robot, or a larger robot. It can build recursively and could 'multiply' into a hierarchical robot system that can build much larger structures."

The system is working with cars, aircraft, and ships with top firms like Toyota, Airbus, and Oldendroff.