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Underemployed · 4th December 2004, 01:26 PM

Ok, while doing some research into long-term storage of radioactive waste, I came across this interesting site.

Looks interesting - but hits many alarm bells on the old BS-ometer. Refusal to patent - check. Establishment trying to keep it down - check. Dodgy video of 'prototype' at work - check. Grandiose claims and mentions of new paradigms - check.

So I just thought I'd ask the more learned fellows amongst you if there's anything to it or not. Certainly looks like a nice idea even if it doesn't actually work.

espritch · 4th December 2004, 09:15 PM

I don't know if this is for real either. But I will make two observations. Firstly, the video didn't make it at all clear how these cubes are supposed to connect together (I didn't see any visible mechanism). Secondly there was this:

Quote:

All previously intractable mechanical problems in robotics
have now been solved with this new branch of robotics.

That's a pretty big claim. I hope they can back it up.

Dymanic · 5th December 2004, 05:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by espritch

the video didn't make it at all clear how these cubes are supposed to connect together (I didn't see any visible mechanism).

Magnetic coils are embedded in the side plates of the cubes, and the cubes slide when currents are phased through the coils. The plates also have 45 degree petals that push out of the surface to engage the neighbouring face that allows one robotic cube to lock to its neighbour. Contact pads allow power and data signals to be routed from one cube to another.

I can't see any reason why it couldn't work. I think it's a fantastic idea.

Ladewig · 5th December 2004, 06:15 AM

Quote:

from FAQ page

When will it arrive?
Fractal robot is just a tool for the consultancy work. Through consultancy funded contract work, we now have prototypes and a reference design that can be commercialised_ In USA a network of academics that managed to obtain $25m+ in funding and didn't want to share it. Cheeky! Naturally we have been in touch with their legal departments and no one wants to talk to us now! We like to congratulate these academic idiots for the scandal they have created for themselves, their students and their universities. Sheesh! Very cheeky_ Our focus is consultancy work, that is priority. Its always nice to have projects that suit fractal robot research and consultancy work at the same time.

Cheeky indeed.

On figure 10 (three cube video) on the mine clearing page , is it just me or is there a string visible next to the moving cube?

Lastly, if I am going to pay 100 £/hour for software consultancy work, I expect the firm to have its own domain name.

Beanbag · 5th December 2004, 07:04 AM

Inyeresting concept. A self-organizing hive of cubical "cells" (for lack of a better term).

Of course, one problem immediately comes to mind. The "robots" are working in a relatively clean environment right now. What happens in the real world, when they start picking up nails, iron dust, can lids, etc.? Because they are using permanent magnets, the cubes can't 'self-clean' by turning off the magnetic field and letting the junk drop off.

Why cubes? Why not tetrahedrons, which can be arranged in a greater variety of shapes?

Regards;
Beanbag

4th December 2004, 01:26 PM	#1
Underemployed Muse Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 764	Fractal Robots - scam or not? Ok, while doing some research into long-term storage of radioactive waste, I came across this interesting site. Looks interesting - but hits many alarm bells on the old BS-ometer. Refusal to patent - check. Establishment trying to keep it down - check. Dodgy video of 'prototype' at work - check. Grandiose claims and mentions of new paradigms - check. So I just thought I'd ask the more learned fellows amongst you if there's anything to it or not. Certainly looks like a nice idea even if it doesn't actually work.
Underemployed Muse Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 764	__________________ There is no punchy, conclusive final sentence for this post.

4th December 2004, 09:15 PM	#2
espritch Graduate Poster Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 1,380	I don't know if this is for real either. But I will make two observations. Firstly, the video didn't make it at all clear how these cubes are supposed to connect together (I didn't see any visible mechanism). Secondly there was this: Quote: All previously intractable mechanical problems in robotics have now been solved with this new branch of robotics. That's a pretty big claim. I hope they can back it up.
	__________________ "I'm the master of low expectations." - G. W. Bush

5th December 2004, 05:41 AM	#3
Dymanic Illuminator Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 4,810	Quote: Originally posted by espritch the video didn't make it at all clear how these cubes are supposed to connect together (I didn't see any visible mechanism). Magnetic coils are embedded in the side plates of the cubes, and the cubes slide when currents are phased through the coils. The plates also have 45 degree petals that push out of the surface to engage the neighbouring face that allows one robotic cube to lock to its neighbour. Contact pads allow power and data signals to be routed from one cube to another. I can't see any reason why it couldn't work. I think it's a fantastic idea.
Dymanic Illuminator Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 4,810

5th December 2004, 06:15 AM	#4
Ladewig Hipster alien Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: not measurable Posts: 16,944	Quote: from FAQ page When will it arrive? Fractal robot is just a tool for the consultancy work. Through consultancy funded contract work, we now have prototypes and a reference design that can be commercialised_ In USA a network of academics that managed to obtain $25m+ in funding and didn't want to share it. Cheeky! Naturally we have been in touch with their legal departments and no one wants to talk to us now! We like to congratulate these academic idiots for the scandal they have created for themselves, their students and their universities. Sheesh! Very cheeky_ Our focus is consultancy work, that is priority. Its always nice to have projects that suit fractal robot research and consultancy work at the same time. Cheeky indeed. On figure 10 (three cube video) on the mine clearing page , is it just me or is there a string visible next to the moving cube? Lastly, if I am going to pay 100 £/hour for software consultancy work, I expect the firm to have its own domain name.
	__________________ Is the JREF message board training wheels for people who hope to one day troll other message boards? It is not that hard to get us to believe you. We are not the major leagues or even the minor leagues. We are Pee-Wee baseball. If you love striking out 10-year-olds, then you'll love trolling our board.

5th December 2004, 07:04 AM	#5
Beanbag Master Poster Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Dallas/Fort Worth Posts: 2,709	Inyeresting concept. A self-organizing hive of cubical "cells" (for lack of a better term). Of course, one problem immediately comes to mind. The "robots" are working in a relatively clean environment right now. What happens in the real world, when they start picking up nails, iron dust, can lids, etc.? Because they are using permanent magnets, the cubes can't 'self-clean' by turning off the magnetic field and letting the junk drop off. Why cubes? Why not tetrahedrons, which can be arranged in a greater variety of shapes? Regards; Beanbag
	__________________ Nothing divides an indivisible nation quite as well as religion. Know god, no peace. No god, know peace. If Jesus is the answer, it must be a real dumb question.