MIT Robot Builds a Working Laser in 30 Minutes With Minimal Human Help

MIT engineers created a reconfigurable robotic optical lab: a seven-joint manipulator assembled a desktop laser resonator from randomly placed components in 50 operations and about 30 minutes. The system identifies parts by QR codes, aligns them with micron precision, and self-recovers alignment after failures.

• Robot performed 50 operations in ~30 minutes to produce working laser
• Components in 3D-printed housings with QR codes and magnetic bases
• Motorized tool aligns optics with micron precision
• System self-recovers alignment after component displacement