The scientists and engineers who introduced the world to tiny robots demonstrating
soccer skills are creating the next level of friendly competition designed to
advance microrobotics-the field devoted to the construction and operations of
useful robots whose dimensions are measured in micrometers (millionths of a
meter).
A microrobot used at the RoboCup 2009 nanosoccer competition by the team from Switzerland's ETH Zurich is compared in size to the head of a fruit fly. The robot, which is operated under a microscope, is 300 micrometers in length or slightly larger than a dust mite. Credit: ETH Zurich
The National Institute of Standards
and Technology (NIST), in collaboration with IEEE, is inviting university
and collegiate student teams currently engaged in microrobotic, microelectronic
or MicroElectroMechanical Systems (MEMS) research to participate in the 2010
NIST Mobile Microrobotics Challenge. The competition will be held as part of
the IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation in May 2010 in
Anchorage, Alaska.
Viewed under a microscope, the microbots are operated by remote control and
move in response to changing magnetic fields or electrical signals transmitted
across a microchip playing field. The bots are a few tens of micrometers to
a few hundred micrometers long, but their masses can be just a few nanograms
(billionths of a gram). They are manufactured from materials such as aluminum,
nickel, gold, silicon and chromium.
Like the NIST-coordinated "nanosoccer" events at the 2007 and 2009
RoboCup competitions (see www.nist.gov/public_affairs/calmed/nanosoccer.html),
the Mobile Microrobotics Challenge will pit tiny robotic contestants against
each other in three tests: (1) a two-millimeter dash in which microrobots sprint
across a distance equal to the diameter of a pin head; (2) a microassembly task
where the competitors must insert pegs into designated holes; and (3) a freestyle
competition where each team chooses a task for its robot that emphasizes one
or more abilities from among system reliability, level of autonomy, power management
and task complexity.
These events are designed to "road test" agility, maneuverability,
response to computer control and the ability to move objects—all skills
that future industrial microbots will need for tasks such as microsurgery within
the human body or the manufacture of tiny components for microscopic electronic
devices.
NIST is organizing the 2010 Mobile Microrobotics Challenge with the IEEE Robotics
and Automation Society. NIST's goal in coordinating competitions between the
world's smallest robots is to show the feasibility and accessibility of technologies
for fabricating MEMS, which are tiny mechanical devices built onto semiconductor
chips. The contests also drive innovation in this new field of robotics by inspiring
young scientists and engineers to become involved.
To apply for the NIST Mobile Microrobotics Challenge, teams must submit a proposal
by Dec. 31, 2009, by electronic mail to microrobotics2010@nist.gov, or by standard
mail to: NIST Microrobotics Challenge 2010, c/o Craig McGray, NIST, 100 Bureau
Dr., MS 8120, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-8120. Proposals must include: a roster
of individuals contributing to the team; contact information for the team leader;
a list of the facilities available for fabrication, operation and characterization
of microrobots; an overview of the microrobot design; an overview of the intended
capabilities of the microrobot; and an overview of the fabrication process to
be used.