K-Team to use Wyss Institute robotic swarm technology

Nov. 18, 2011—The Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University agreed to license its Kilobot robotic technology to K-Team Corporation, a Swiss manufacturer of high-quality mobile robots for use in advanced education and research. K-Team robotics solutions are used in more than 600 universities and industrial research centers internationally, according to a Wyss news release issued Nov. 17.

"The Kilobot system is part of a larger effort by the Wyss Institute’s Bioinspired Robotics Platform to design robots inspired by insects—such as mound-building termites and honeybees," Wyss reported. "These next-generation robot swarms could be deployed in applications ranging from autonomous construction in dangerous environments to assisting commercial pollination of crops to search and rescue operations."

“We are excited to bring Kilobot to the market with a partner that has a proven track record in helping educators and scientists advance their research agendas,” said Wyss Institute Founding Director Donald Ingber M.D., Ph.D. “These advances in the lab are critical to ensuring that next-generation robotic swarms realize their full potential to help people and preserve the planet.”