Now, snake ‘robots’ that may help detect and disable explosives
July 30th, 2010 - 12:50 pm ICT by ANIWashington, July 30 (ANI): Engineers have developed snake-like autonomous robots that can slither into dangerous situations to detect and disable explosives.
U.S. Army Research Laboratory engineers have developed these robots to aid soldiers in search and rescue missions and to inspect potential threats from Improvised Explosive Devices, or IEDs.
The robots are equipped with electronic sensors and lasers that render 3-D images of object shapes and physical properties.
Touch sensitive sensor allows the bot to feel, balance and rotate objects.
They can be built in any size, and can climb stairs or rough terrains.
“Consider that snakes push off rocks or roots to propel their bodies. We are using this same concept in development,” Discovery News quoted Derek Schererer as saying.
The robots can even over come a long time ‘robot’ problem - opening doors. High levels of articulation in the snake robot could prove to be effective for grasping and rotating different types of door handles. (ANI)
- 2010 Aussie competition will see robots battle it out - Dec 20, 2009
- Southampton scientists develop control system to allow spacecraft to think for themselves - Feb 01, 2011
- Control system to allow satellites and spacecrafts to think for themselves - Feb 15, 2011
- Now, drones to keep eye on trouble-makers in crowds - May 04, 2012
- 'Living' microbot to detect diseases in future - Mar 30, 2012
- Smart robocopters to ferret out pirates' boats - Apr 09, 2012
- Snake-like robo discovers how lizards swim through the sand - Feb 25, 2011
- 'Hopping' bot to explore Moon valleys, hilltops by firing rocket nozzles - Mar 01, 2011
- Now, robots that can hide from humans while spying! - Mar 22, 2011
- New robotic 'elephant trunk' could safely hang with humans - Nov 24, 2010
- 'Python' is British Army's winning weapon against Afghan roadside bombs - Feb 18, 2010
- Rescue mission robots just got smarter - May 07, 2010
- 'Near human' bots to 'perform surgeries, harvest crops' - Oct 24, 2010
- Ultra-sensitive sensor to help detect cancer signs, hidden explosives - Mar 22, 2011
- Strong, flexible artificial muscles designed - Oct 14, 2011
Tags: army research laboratory, articulation, autonomous robots, dangerous situations, discovery news, electronic sensors, explosive devices, explosives, laboratory engineers, lasers, object shapes, opening doors, rescue missions, rough terrains, search and rescue, sensitive sensor, snake robot, snake robots, snakes, u s army