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This reminds me of an interview I heard on the radio 6 or 7 years ago with someone involved in a project to design & build a small set of robots that can self-r

This reminds me of an interview I heard on the radio 6 or 7 years ago with someone involved in a project to design & build a small set of robots that can self-replicate using the materials they get from breaking down moon rocks. The plan was to leave them on the moon for a decade, and bring them all back to serve as agricultural helpers on Earth. A caller into the station complained that it would eat up the moon, to which the scientist speaking chuckled and said it would only take a hair off the surface of the moon given how massive it is. I realize this is barely related, just an interesting memory :) I can't remember who or what company that was, but I'm pretty sure it was a private one. Does anyone recognize this? I don't think it ever saw any sort of fruition.

TeMPOraL 14y ago
> A caller into the station complained that it would eat up the moon, to which the scientist speaking chuckled and said it would only take a hair off the surface of the moon given how massive it is. Well, if each of them would replicate on average into two or more new robots, then yes, they probably could eat Moon very quickly. Exponential growth is a pain :).
- geon 14y ago
  Nine women can't make a baby in one month. The robots would still be limited by the surface area of the moon. Also, the moon would not disappear. In the end, there would be an entire moon, made out of robots.
  - artursapek 14y ago
    Great thought.