Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

This tiny robot can drag objects thousands of times its own weight

Tiny, tiny robots. Tiny!

New Scientist / YouTube

LUGGING YOUR SHOPPING to the car could be made a lot easier if you had one of these little critters.

Researchers at Stanford University in California have developed miniature robots that are capable of carrying objects thousands of times their own weight.

NewScientist reports that the engineers hope the devices could have applications on building sites or even for emergency services.

The tiny beasts of burden (and they really are tiny – one weighs just 9 grams) were built under a microscope. Their sticky feet, the key to their strength, is inspired by geckos.

The most impressive is the μTug. Weighing in at 12 grams, it can drag an object that is 2000 times its own weight.

In the video above, the robot can be seen dragging a weight slowly but surely across a surface.

Researcher David Christensen told NewScientist that this is ‘the same as a human pulling around a blue whale’.

Read: Angela Merkel had an uncomfortable encounter with a dancing robot today >

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Author
Nicky Ryan
View 8 comments
Close
8 Comments
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
    JournalTv
    News in 60 seconds