Micro manufacturing robots as a children´s book

Pop-up books are always a fascinating way of making narratives more appealing to children and delight craft-sensitive grown ups with unexpected volumes being unfolded in every turn of the page, but building functional complex robots through this process sounded -at least- far fetched.
This is how bees are born today... Well, just mechanical ones, for now.  Harvard Researchers have develop a process on which a a robot bee, its assembly scaffolding and its support are fabricated as a Printed Circuit MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical System) stacking  a group of 18 previously laser cut layers of different materials. In the cut, stacking and organization of these layers lays a surprising secret that rivalry the magic of  Alice in wonderland. (check the video to discover it)
Utterly amazing fabrication and assembly process that, although its complexity, looks simple as a children´s book.

Via: scientificamerican

Smart mechanics

Nowadays the Word ''Smart'', regarding products, is associated to devices enhanced by electronics in sensitive and responsive ways. It refers to the technology that drive inanimate objects into a more sentient stage of their development. But electronics is not the only way to reach that goal. Through the intelligent use of mechanics it can also be achieve the point on which inanimated objects would recognize key features of their users, helping them with this to perform better whatever task these objects are meant to do.

This is the case of the Cannondale concept bike developed by Priority Design. The C.E.R.V (continuosly ergonomic race Vehicle) adapt its handle bar position to match the most efficient posture for different kind of terrain. Without a doubt a great example of meaningful collaboration between design and engineering.

 

Find more about the CERV bike here