The developers of the Federal Polytechnic school in Lausanne laboratory of intelligent systems have created the world’s first edible robot, whose descendants, they believe, will in the future be useful in medicine.
Soft robotics has long been of interest to doctors and engineers, since the elastic miniature robot can assist doctors with carrying out small operations or the delivery of drugs to the desired location, after which it just enough to remove from the body of the patient, or to allow the robot to come out on their own and naturally. But this approach can become obsolete even not getting wide distribution, because “edible” robot, which dissolves in the body after performing the necessary task promises to be much more effective.
In Lausanne to create a “delicious” device used gelatin and glycerin. The developers claim that all parts of the robot, ranging from manipulators and sensors ending with the battery and other components that are completely edible and safe for the body. Scientists believe that in the future will be able to develop a much more functional and miniature robots, meanwhile a gelatin good at making soft tentacles manipulators. Since a robot is completely digested and does not cause allergies, in the composition of its components it will be possible to mix a variety of medicines and vitamins, thus creating opportunities for additional payload devices and manipulators freeing for other important tasks.
Nevertheless, to eat such robots until you get it. As reported by the developers, while they taste pretty nasty. Perhaps, over time, be able to solve this problem, releasing edible robots with strawberry or watermelon flavor — then you can sell them along with the usual jelly beans in stores.
In Switzerland developed the first edible robot
Vyacheslav Larionov