The fact that I’d be terrified if I saw the Army’s prototype Robotic Tentacle Manipulator skittering toward me is just a side effect of its design. The real reason for its snake-like limbs is adaptability.
The robot cooked up by the US Army Research Laboratory is supposed to be useful for rescue missions, diffusing IEDs and everything in between. Plus, we could eventually see giant tentacle robots because the design behind them is meant to scale.
Snake robots are nothing new, but the key here is putting together multiple limbs to work as a team for locomotion and tasks. This gives it a much more delicate touch needed for diffusing an improvised bomb instead of just being able to slither.
The Army says the robot has the ability to “crawl, swim, climb or shimmy through narrow spaces all while transmitting images to the Soldier who is operating the system.” And that’s not even mentioning the prototype’s capabilities for 3D mapping and touch sensitivity, which even helps it open doors, a persistent problem with robots.
Now that it has figured out those pesky doors, who knows how soon it’ll decide to open your closet and hide inside. [Army.mil via Cnet]
Harry
July 28, 2010 at 12:36 PM
Wake me up when it learns how to pick the lock first.
FAIL.
Report PermalinkGordon Mackenzie
July 28, 2010 at 5:38 PM
It doesn’t need to, it can place breeching charges.
Report PermalinkHugh Van Weeren
July 28, 2010 at 9:19 PM
I’m going to be honest, I’m a little tired of the “robot revolution” jokes. I would not be scared if that robot “skittered” towards me and neither would you. So stop the jokes, they aren’t funny anymore.
Report PermalinkJonBOY26
July 28, 2010 at 11:38 PM
….but can it crack open a beer? That would be a useful robot.
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