3D Robotic Control of Micro-Scale Optical Swarms at an Interface
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Date
2025-07
Open Access Location
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
IEEE
Rights
(c) 2025 The Author/s
CC BY 4.0
CC BY 4.0
Abstract
Optical force-induced assembly is a promising yet scarcely explored approach for developing functional tools and objects at the microscale, with a wide range of potential applications. Our previous work was the first to investigate the manipulation of these assemblies in the XY plane. Here, we expand on these techniques by systematically exploring optical trap manipulation with the addition of Z-axis control. Manipulation of the Z-axis is referred to as axial displacement and is a viable approach for actively manipulating the assembly morphology. Experiments are conducted for the first time to explore and detail the response of the assembly during active 3D trap manipulation, informing the development of an autonomous control algorithm over the 2D area of the assembly during motion. This control presents techniques to increase assembly stability or alter the area of the assembly for tasks such as passing through constrictions. This work aims to develop the control techniques required to create a unique micromanufacturing approach inspired by the Kilobot thousand-robot swarm.
Description
Keywords
Swarm robotics, micro/nano robots, automation at micro-nano scales
Citation
Carlisle N, Nock V, Williams MAK, Whitby CP, Chen JLY, Avci E. (2025). 3D Robotic Control of Micro-Scale Optical Swarms at an Interface. IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters. 10. 7. (pp. 6712-6719).