In a giant step towards rapid robot fabrication, researchers at MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory have developed the first ever technique for simultaneously 3D printing with solids and liquids. And to demonstrate how well it works, they have developed adorable little robots that waddle about on little hydraulic legs. "Our approach, which we call'printable hydraulics,' is a step towards the rapid fabrication of functional machines," said CSAIL Director Daniela Rus, who oversaw the project and co-wrote the paper, in a statement. "All you have to do is stick in a battery and motor, and you have a robot that can practically walk right out of the printer." The printer first starts with the solid materials, building them up layer by layer, curing them with UV light before adding the liquid that powers the hydraulic bellows that operate the legs.

In a giant step towards rapid robot fabrication, researchers at MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory have developed the first ever technique for simultaneously 3D printing with solids and liquids. And to demonstrate how well it works, they have developed adorable little robots that waddle about on little hydraulic legs. "Our approach, which we call'printable hydraulics,' is a step towards the rapid fabrication of functional machines," said CSAIL Director Daniela Rus, who oversaw the project and co-wrote the paper, in a statement. "All you have to do is stick in a battery and motor, and you have a robot that can practically walk right out of the printer." The printer first starts with the solid materials, building them up layer by layer, curing them with UV light before adding the liquid that powers the hydraulic bellows that operate the legs.