Magnetically actuated quadruped microrobot

The tiny robots weigh less than 2 grams and measure 20mm in length. They have the potential to get much smaller. They are 3-D printed, and then have magnetically actuated motors added to them. By changing the dipole orientation of the leg magnets in different combinations, the robot can move with different gaits, including trotting, waddling, bounding and pronking. This is research by Associate Professor Sarah Bergbreiter (ME/ISR) and her Ph.D. student Ryan St. Pierre.