Massie/McLurkin Innovative Lives Program
TRT: 47:00
Introductory remarks by Arthur Molella. McLurkin opens the program by explaining his microrobots and robotic communities. The idea is to get the robots to work like ants communicating with each other and having complex behaviors. Massie presents his work with the Phantom, a device that lets you feel imaginary objects as the computer generates a force field. Students participate in taking apart radios and using the Phantom. Several students speak to the camera, but there is no audio and the when there is audio, it does not match the images. Question and answer period with students: how long does it take to make a robot? Have you ever taken something apart and not been able to get it back together? Why did you choose ants? Do you make your own batteries? Did you always build things? What is the cost of one ant? How small can you make an ant? How much does the Phantom cost?
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research but the original videos are stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Signed releases on file, but releases not available for Western School students.
Collection Citation:
Massie/McLurkin Innovative Lives Presentation and Interviews, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.