Marcelo Coelho
marcelo (at) media (dot) mit (dot) edu

Assignment 1. Self-Assembly Machine

I focused on a design where it would possible to fabricate a machine out of small actuators. This way this machine would be able to deform its own body to generate the actuation necessary to replicate itself.

There are two main parts: straight and curved blocks (or tubes) that can spin in relation to each other to create a 3D structure. They are embedded with a motor and logic circuit. Power and communication happens through a mechanical connection between blocks.

Advantages:

• It seems technically feasible
• It could build itself and other complex objects
• It is scale independent
• It could construct an object which (when required) could mutate into a self replicating machine

Disadvantages:

• Basic building blocks are complex