Society of Robots - Robot Forum

General Misc => Misc => Topic started by: chelmi on January 30, 2009, 06:14:48 PM

Title: Carnivorous Robots
Post by: chelmi on January 30, 2009, 06:14:48 PM
http://www.materialbeliefs.com/prototypes/cder.php#theme1

Robots who trap flies and mice to produce power. Amazing!

I know what power source to use for my next project :p

Chelmi
Title: Re: Carnivorous Robots
Post by: DC-Electronics on January 31, 2009, 01:05:47 AM
thats inventive, maybe a bit gross but still creative way to do things.
Title: Re: Carnivorous Robots
Post by: Joesavage1 on February 01, 2009, 11:29:46 AM
Wow, not a bad idea! I Agree its extremely inventive.

Joe
Title: Re: Carnivorous Robots
Post by: SciTech02 on February 01, 2009, 11:59:06 AM
All of these "robots" seem to use something called a "microbial fuel cell"; apparently a device that "digests" organic matter (whole organisims) into simpler compounds, resulting in a gain energy.  Scary thing is that it "digests" an entire mouse...  O.o  :o

I would like to hear more about this device; it's interesting and creepy at the same time (imagine a giant one, in which a human falls into it...).
Title: Re: Carnivorous Robots
Post by: Admin on February 03, 2009, 02:12:08 AM
Not as amazing as they've written it . . .

The idea is a decade old:
http://www.wired.com/gadgets/miscellaneous/news/2001/10/47156 (has a video)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/1542588.stm

And there are many problems with it:
- bacteria will drown in their own waste if the robot doesn't 'poop'
- sugar and other nutrients need to be added
- temperature control needed

And digesting a mouse like this won't happen. Digestion requires a *lot* of energy. This is why humans cook their food and chew before swallowing - much more efficient than pure chemical digestion.

And don't forget about the smell coming from these robots ;)
Title: Re: Carnivorous Robots
Post by: waymental on February 03, 2009, 10:01:40 AM
With this kind of technology whats next?

Human bodies?

What is the Matrix?