TED: Why I make robots the size of a grain of rice | Sarah Bergbreiter

The video discusses the development of robotic ants, focusing on their mobility and locomotion. It highlights the challenges of engineering small robots with capabilities similar to insects, such as ants and cockroaches. The video explores the use of rigid and soft materials, magnetic fields, and microfabricated energetic materials to achieve movement. It also envisions future applications of these robots in disaster recovery, medical fields, and construction, emphasizing the potential for innovation and advancement in robotics.

What is one of the main challenges in creating robotic ants?

• Ensuring they can fly

• Finding the right color for the robots

• Integrating sensors, power, and control

• Making them as large as possible

How do insects like cockroaches manage to move over rough terrain?

• By combining rigid and soft materials

• By using only rigid materials

• By using wheels

• By flying over obstacles

What is the size of the jumping mechanism developed in the lab?

• 4 meters

• 4 inches

• 4 centimeters

• 4 millimeters

What method is used to simulate micro-robot leg movements initially?

• Using hydraulic systems

• Using small motors

• Using external magnetic fields

• Using solar power

What is the speed achieved by the slightly larger robots?

• 10 meters per second

• 10 centimeters per second

• 10 kilometers per hour

• 10 inches per second

What is a potential application of small robots in disaster scenarios?

• Running through rubble to find survivors

• Decorating homes

• Cooking meals

• Painting walls

What triggers the jumping of the robot using microfabricated energetic material?

• A magnetic field

• A temperature change

• An increase in light

• A sound wave