Scientists at the Cornell University in Ithaca, New York have created small robots that can build copies of themselves. Self-replicating robots are no longer the stuff of science fiction.
Each robot consists of several 10 cm cubes which have identical machinery, electromagnets to attach and detach to each other and a computer program for replication. The robots can bend and pick up and stack the cubes.
Although the machines we have created are still simple compared with biological self-reproduction, they demonstrate that mechanical self-reproduction is possible and not unique to biology, Hod Lipson said in a report in the science journal Nature on Wednesday.
He and his team believe the design principle could be used to make long term, self-repairing robots that could mend themselves and be used in hazardous Scientists at the Cornell University in Ithaca, New York have created small robots that can build copies of themselves. Self-replicating robots are no longer the stuff of science fiction.
The experimental robots, which don''t do anything else except make copies of themselves, are powered through contacts on the surface of the table and transfer data through their faces. They self-replicate by using additional modules placed in special feeding locations.
The machines duplicate themselves by bending over and putting their top cube on the table. Then they bend again, pick up another cube, put it on top of the first and repeat the entire process. As the new robot begins to take shape it helps to build itself.
The four-module robot was able to construct a replica in 2.5 minutes by lifting and assembling cubes from the feeding locations, said Lipson.
例句：She wore the identical dress on both occasions.
她在两个场合穿同一套衣服。
3、replicate 折叠、复制
4、unique 唯一的，独一无二
例句：The custom is unique to the region.
这种风俗是这一地区特有的。
5、hazardous 有危险的，冒险的
例句：That was a hazardous journey.
那是个危险的旅程。
6、duplicate （1）adj.完全一样的，复制的；（2）v.复制，重复；
例句：He opened the door with a duplicate key.
他用一把复制的钥匙开门。
All the members received duplicated notices of the meeting.
所有会员都接到了同样的会议通知。
三、句型分析
The experimental robots，（which don‘t do anything else except make copies of themselves，）are powered [（through contacts on the surface of the table）and（transfer data through their faces.）〕
