
Researchers from the Interactive Architechture Lab and the University College London are developing a robotic playground structure that slowly adjusts its struts to move and change shape. Known as a MORPH [MObile Reconfigurable PolyHedra], the octahedral robots can be wirelessly guided or roam relatively freely, while staying within a certain area. The robot also has an audio alarm that goes off if someone tries to move the robot off the ground, presumably to steal it.
The bot moves around by expanding and retracting twelve actuated struts. The creators say it moves slowly and predictably, so it is safe for public spaces. The current prototype stands 1.5 meters tall and can handle a load of 30 kilograms.