The following video is absolutely mind blowing. Intel and a group of academic researchers are is working on a programmable matter, a shape shifting material that can take on any shape, physical property or color that will rapidly transform into literally anything. It works by moving around microscopic glass spheres called catoms that have processing power and electricity generating capabilities built in. And although they have created small working prototypes in the lab, unfortunately, the video is an animation, a concept design of what they are hoping to achieve. If and when programmable matter becomes a reality, it will be a game changer filled with endless possibilities (think: products that change shape on demand).
[via Paul Isakson]
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Seriously, no comments? What? Has everyone’s minds just popped?
This feels like a version of the Universal Assembler to me…very very exciting and the death of all products :)
March 6th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
I’m not sure I can comprehend what I’m witnessing!
March 9th, 2009 at 9:49 am
Eeh it strikes me like a 1970’s episode of ‘Tomorrow’s World’ where they show what it will be like in 2009 and we’re all driving flying cars and living on mealpills. But that could just be the boop boop soundtrack…
March 9th, 2009 at 10:44 am
Just imagine what this could do for the “Adult Toy” industry – or any product that is “personal” ;-)
March 10th, 2009 at 12:32 am
Gross.
March 11th, 2009 at 9:17 am