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Lego Robot Builds Stuff—With Legos

Machine could theoretically self-replicate, make Lego-Terminators

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 21, 2010 6:15 PM CDT

(Newser) – Could this be the first step toward a robotic apocalypse? A software engineer has created a machine made of Legos that builds objects made of Legos, based on 3D models. The MakerLegoBot (see video in gallery) takes advantage of the brand's new Mindstorms set, which incorporates motors and moving parts. With modifications, the gizmo could theoretically replicate itself, notes Wired.

“I love the idea of self-assembly and the Star Trek replicator and I love Legos,” says inventor WIll Gorman. “I wanted to bring those two worlds together." Throw in a self-aware computer system, and we'd likely have a full Lego-Skynet building murderous Lego-Terminators...

Software engineer Will Gorman has created the MakerLegoBot, a machine that can take a virtual 3-D model and assemble it using Lego bricks.
Software engineer Will Gorman has created the MakerLegoBot, a machine that can take a virtual 3-D model and assemble it using Lego bricks.   (YouTube)
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The MakerLegoBot in action.   (YouTube)

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 4 comments
DharmaBumming
Oct 22, 2010 12:12 AM CDT
This one was of the more enjoyable articles I've seen on Newser in a while. Made for a great laugh!
YetAnotherCollegeKid
Oct 21, 2010 10:16 PM CDT
It's so meta. Objects made of blocks making objects made of blocks making objects made of blocks. I need to go lie down.
wiley14
Oct 21, 2010 7:33 PM CDT
Wow, people are stupid. It's not like it can do what it pleases - it does exactly (and only exactly) what the programmer tells it to do. It's not AI or become self-aware. I'm sure there are industrial robots that build *other* industrial robots, but we haven't been taken over by them... Geez...

 
software • robots • science fiction • Lego

 
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