this post was submitted on 01 Apr 2025
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World's smallest battery-free flying robot uses magnets for power. (interestingengineering.com)
submitted 3 days ago by RewindAgain@futurology.today to c/futurology@futurology.today
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[–] ramenshaman@lemmy.world 9 points 2 days ago (5 children)

The title is misleading. Calling it a robot is being very generous. It's basically a propeller with magnets attached such that, if you stick it inside an externally generated magnetic field, it can fly. It's completely passive and does not have any onboard sensors.

[–] obbeel 1 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Robot comes from the word roboto, that is work, no? If it can do autonomous work, it is a robot.

[–] ramenshaman@lemmy.world 1 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Yeah, so calling this a robot would be incorrect.

[–] RIPandTERROR@sh.itjust.works 1 points 2 days ago (1 children)

It would be more of a robot part with the rest of the robot being the magnet

[–] ramenshaman@lemmy.world 1 points 2 days ago

Technically, maybe. Pretty limited applications, I think, but very cool.

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