# Self-Assembling Modular Robots These Cubic Robots are Able to Assemble Themselves By Vasiliki Marapas | Published 2014-12-18 | Unique Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cubic-robots References: [web.mit.edu](http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2013/simple-scheme-for-self-assembling-robots-1004.html) & [web.mit.edu](http://web.mit.edu/) John Romanishin, Daniela Rus and Kyle Gilpin introduced M-Blocks, cubic robots with no externally moving parts, at the International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems. Despite their lack of externally moving parts, the robots are able to [climb, jump and roll around](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tron-2). A flywheel that rotates up to 20,000 revolutions per minute is inside each robot. When braked, the flywheel transmits its angular momentum to the M-Block, which has magnets on each face, allowing it to attach to other M-Blocks (or, in other words, [self-assemble](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/space-robotics-workers)). The robotics simplified existing [modular-robot systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gioco) by ridding themselves of the concept of static stability. The team faced opposition and disbelief along the way, but preserved long enough to create a design that the robotics community has been long interested in achieving. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.9/10 - Popularity: 37% | Activity: 73% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 90% men, 10% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Unique](https://www.trendhunter.com/unique) > [Inventions](https://www.trendhunter.com/inventions) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Modular Robotics:** The trend of self-assembling modular robots presents opportunities for disruptive innovation in industries such as manufacturing and logistics. - **Dynamic Stability:** The trend of robots achieving stability through dynamic systems opens up disruptive innovation opportunities in industries like healthcare and construction. - **High-speed Flywheel Technology:** The trend of incorporating high-speed flywheel technology in robots can disrupt industries such as aerospace and defense. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Manufacturing:** The manufacturing industry can benefit from self-assembling modular robots, streamlining production processes and increasing efficiency. - **Logistics:** In the logistics industry, self-assembling modular robots can revolutionize warehouse operations and improve order fulfillment speed and accuracy. - **Healthcare:** Dynamic stability in robots has the potential to transform healthcare industries by enabling safe and precise robotic surgeries. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Modular Robotics Kits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/modular-robotics-kit.md) - [Bio-Inspired Transforming Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bioinspired-transforming-robot.md) - [Modular Robot Developments](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-tron-2.md) - [Agile Wall-Climbing Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/magnecko-robot.md) - [Multidirectional Miniature Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/multidirectional-miniature-robots.md) - [Miniature Flying Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tiny-robot.md) - [Self-Replicating Living Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/xenobots.md) - [Diminutive DIY Desktop Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/diy-desktop-robot.md) - [Diminutive Bipedal Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bipedal-robots.md)