Ants can inspire robots that ride alone [video]

The New York Times recently posted on its YouTube channel an amazing video about foot-washing ants (those small red ones whose bites hurt a lot). The recording discusses the amazing ability of these animals to time flow together as a viscous liquid and also to form elastic solid spheres.

“To flow, they move, repositioning themselves in the middle of the group and acting like a dense liquid. Already when the aggregate struggled to maintain its shape, the ants clung to each other, acting like an elastic solid - a rubber ball, for example, ”explains the newspaper.

According to the video, studies on insects can help in the creation of self-assembling robots and the development of self-healing materials. “When ants turn into a bridge, they can repair any breaks. Why can't concrete do the same? ”Concludes reporter James Gorman.