Scientists create robots that take their first steps straight out of the 3D printer

What just happened? A team of engineers at the University of Edinburgh has unveiled a new chapter in robotics: soft, four-legged robots that can walk off a 3D printer as soon as they're made. This innovation, powered by a desktop machine called the Flex Printer, could make advanced robotics accessible to a much wider audience and spark fresh advances in fields from medicine to nuclear safety. Unlike traditional robots built from rigid materials and packed with electronics, these new devices are crafted entirely from soft plastic and move using compressed air. The absence of electronics not only simplifies the design but also makes the robots safer and more reliable, especially in environments where electronic failure or interference could be hazardous. The Flex Printer itself is at the heart of this breakthrough. The system can be built for under £400 ($539) using off-the-shelf parts, and its user-friendly design means that even beginners can assemble and operate it within just a few ... Read full article.