Researchers from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) make history by developing a mobile phone device that can assemble itself within a matter of minutes. The prototype developed by researchers of MIT includes six separate parts which assemble into two different mobile devices. The device is able to assemble itself, even in unstable environments, claim the researchers. The main principle behind self-assembling is simplicity. When the components move fast, it is made sure that they meet and do not break. Each component will have lock-and-key mechanism with which it will allow appropriate connections and reject the unwanted ones. For the parts to stick properly, the team uses magnets to make sure that the right parts are connected.
What are the advantages of self-assembling devices?
Such technology can definitely be a boon to manufacturing industry, because self-assembling can:
- Reduce automation costs
- Remove shifting labor to other places
- More scope to innovate
- Freedom to build better designs
It’s not only MIT that is experimenting with self-assembling. Earlier this year, Google also announced that in 2017, it will release Project Ara, a modular smartphone which will have six modular slots built for flexibility. Read more.
