Bleks

Bleks are a class of small, autonomous modular robots designed for construction, inspection, and maintenance in built environments. The term blek originates from a portmanteau of "block" and "link," reflecting their core design principle: reconfigurable units that can connect to form larger tools or structures.

Design and technology: Bleks are typically palm-sized, though sizes vary by application. Each unit contains sensing, computation, actuation, and a docking interface to join with other bleks. They operate through decentralized swarm control and communicate over a wireless mesh network. Power is provided by compact rechargeable cells, with optional energy harvesting for extended missions. Sensors may include optical cameras, LiDAR, tactile arrays, and environmental monitors. When needed, bleks can attach to others to reconfigure into extended arms, grippers, or survey tracks, enabling scalable capability without centralized fabrication.

Applications: Bleks are proposed for rapid construction and repair in disaster zones, periodic inspection of large-scale infrastructure, underwater or hazardous-environment work, and automated maintenance in data centers or industrial plants. Their redundancy and scalability make them attractive for operations where human access is risky or impractical.

History and status: The concept draws on swarm robotics and modular robotics research from the early 21st century and has appeared in speculative and design literature as a practical platform. Real-world deployments remain experimental and largely confined to controlled environments and pilot projects.

Limitations and ethics: Challenges include reliability under load, docking success, communication in cluttered spaces, and energy management. Considerations address safety, accountability for autonomous actions, regulatory compliance, and potential impacts on labor.

See also: swarm robotics; modular robotics; autonomous construction; distributed AI.