Get ready for a micro robot surgeon small enough to fit inside a purse or a pocket, created by Harvard University’s Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, together with the John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.
The development of the milliDelta, a millimeter-scale delta robot which measures 15 millimeter x 15 millimeter x 20 millimeter, was inspired by the idea of origami and pop-up books, as reported by Engadget. The tiny robot, when unfolded, is just the mere size of a coin.
Although small in size, the milliDelta is not to be underestimated. It is precise and agile, and can be used for 3D printing, according to the Wyss Institute. At its scale, the milliDelta can also be used for microassembly, micromanipulation and tremor cancellation in microsurgery.
Image: Screengrab from YouTube/Wyss Institute
Unlike past Delta robots, the milliDelta also comes as a swift operator. Hayley McClintock, a Harvard researcher who aided in designing the milliDelta, told Engadget, “Currently available Delta robots are only able to operate at a few hertz. So for our robot to be able to draw circles at frequencies up to 75 hertz is quite impressive.”
Image: Screengrab from YouTube/Wyss Institute
Yet despite its caliber, the milliDelta still has to see some improvements. Project researchers of the milliDelta plan to further refine its design, as well as add power and control electronics to it.
The video of the project from Wyss Institute may be viewed below. JB
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