A new self-folding origami robot can fold itself up and walk away, demonstrating the potential to build more sophisticated robots that can interact with the environment, explain researchers behind a new study.

The advanced design, described in the journal Science, draws inspiration from self-assembly in nature, such as the way linear sequences of amino acids fold into complex proteins with sophisticated functions, the robot's engineers explain.

"Getting a robot to assemble itself autonomously and actually perform a function has been a milestone we've been chasing for many years," senior author Rob Wood, Ph.D., of the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University, said in a statement.

Not to mention that the technology was also built cheaply and quickly. It's made out of nothing more than paper and 'Shrinky dinks' - the classic children's toy that shrinks when heated.

The new robot is the first that builds itself and performs a function without human intervention.

The team used computer design tools to program the robot's design and folding pattern, and 40 prototypes later, built one that could fold itself up and walk away. Lead author Sam Felton developed the sheet it's made out of using a solid ink printer, a laser machine, and his hands.

The machine, inspired by origami - the ancient Japanese art whereby a single sheet of paper can be folded into complex structures - operates on a timer, waiting about ten seconds after the batteries are installed to begin folding. However, "we could easily modify this such that the folding is triggered by an environmental sensor, such as temperature or pressure," Felton said.

In addition to being a more sophisticated brand of robot, the technology also holds the potential for other out-of-this-world uses, researchers say.

"Imagine a ream of dozens of robotic satellites sandwiched together so that they could be sent up to space and then assemble themselves remotely once they get there-they could take images, collect data, and more," Felton explained.

Each robot cost about $100, but only $20 for the body without the motors, batteries, and micro controller.

[Credit: Harvard University]