Researchers at Cornell University in New York have created robotic cubes that can create copies of themselves in under three minutes which, surprisingly, the scientists purport are simple machines. Self-replicating robots are simple? That’s because that’s all the cubes do — at the moment. They could easily be outfitted with tools for specific tasks, the researchers say. The application for a machine that could reconstruct a copy of itself — reproduce, if you will — or repair itself with limited materials are nearly endless. Medical nanomachines could be injected into the body and construct a surgical tool without having to open up a patient. Robots sent into space to other planets could repair themselves or even build a troop of explorers once they touchdown. Manufacturing costs would lower as construction robots could replicate both themselves and products. That’s the plan, anyway. So when will we be propelled into this glorious future (and come one step closer to having to fend off relentless, self-replicating robots such as Stargate’s Replicators, pictured above)? Nailing down the process of reproducing robots in only one step in a larger puzzle , as scientists still need to figure out how to apply the ‘bots effectively. Via National Geographic

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Grey goo, anyone? Scientists create robotic cubes that can reproduce

NOTE : VIDEO IS SLIGHTLY NSFW DUE TO LANGUAGE. This is a rap about a robot party that Shredder threw at the Technodrome. It sounds pretty epic, and I wish I could have been there. Also, that banjo-toting pedobear from Chuck-E-Cheese’’s touched my butt when I was a kid. Just sayin”. Youtube Thanks to Erin, who apparently gets invited to all these parties. Hey, how about taking me next time?

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Robot Parties Actually Sound Kind Of Fun

This is a Saturday Night Live skit from like 1995, so it’s old as all hell, I know that. But I think it’s important to note how much more seriously people used to take the robot threat than they do now . What’s going on? Ya best protect ya neck! And now, thanks to Old Glory Insurance, geriatrics can be attacked by killer robots worry-free of the financial burden often caused by such maulings. Unfortunately, you’re on your own if you’re under 50, so I recommend doing what I did and wearing a fake mustache. I say, how about that ‘64 World’s Fair? First trip Gertie and I ever took to the Big Apple. I remember she flashed her tits to the butter sculptor. Good times. I’ll take $1 million policy, please. Old Glory [hulu] Thanks to Stephanie, who may or may not have taken policies out on the old folks who live next door and then reprogrammed their Roomba.

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Take It Seriously: Robot Attack Insurance

Rong Yiren’s mechanical LEGO animal designs are all captivating—in no small part because he does a great job posing them to convey movement—but mechGORILLA is tops. (Check out the ” medBOTS “, too, if crab-legged cyclops wielding bone saws sound alluring.) [via Bros. Brick ]

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Rong Yiren’s LEGO mechGORILLA