07-03-2011, 11:57 AM
UTILITY FOG
ABSTRACT
The concept of Robotic foglets is based on the concept of tiny self replicating robots. The Utility fog is just an extension of this idea. The concept of utility fog is introduced as a useful provocation for imagining nanotechnology and its implications in the future. A description of the technical specifications and uses of utility fog are provided.
Utility fog is a concept that was developed by Dr. John Storrs Hall. It relies on molecular manufacturing techniques to create tiny robots. The timescale for realization of utility fog and other similar products is probably at least twenty to thirty years away. In this concept the utility fog consists of robotic cells or ‘foglets’ of about 100 microns in size .Each foglet is equipped with a high capability processing controller and electric motor. The central body is approximately spherical, about ten microns. Each body has twelve telescopic arms about five microns in diameter and fifty microns long that swivel on a universal joint. The end of the arms allows for foglets to grip together and thus forms different shape and sized objects. The fog could be manipulated by a remote control that could appear wand-like. This is a clever observation given that the utility fog could enable creation, levitation, manipulation, teleportation and shape-shifting. Suddenly the magic in Harry Potter no longer look likes fantasy.
ABSTRACT
The concept of Robotic foglets is based on the concept of tiny self replicating robots. The Utility fog is just an extension of this idea. The concept of utility fog is introduced as a useful provocation for imagining nanotechnology and its implications in the future. A description of the technical specifications and uses of utility fog are provided.
Utility fog is a concept that was developed by Dr. John Storrs Hall. It relies on molecular manufacturing techniques to create tiny robots. The timescale for realization of utility fog and other similar products is probably at least twenty to thirty years away. In this concept the utility fog consists of robotic cells or ‘foglets’ of about 100 microns in size .Each foglet is equipped with a high capability processing controller and electric motor. The central body is approximately spherical, about ten microns. Each body has twelve telescopic arms about five microns in diameter and fifty microns long that swivel on a universal joint. The end of the arms allows for foglets to grip together and thus forms different shape and sized objects. The fog could be manipulated by a remote control that could appear wand-like. This is a clever observation given that the utility fog could enable creation, levitation, manipulation, teleportation and shape-shifting. Suddenly the magic in Harry Potter no longer look likes fantasy.
