A robotic snake developed by researchers at Carnegie Mellon University has suddenly gained a frightening new power— the ability to hug things. Last week, the university's Biorobotics Laboratory published a new video of its modular snake, demonstrating the robot's ability to reactively latch on to objects. When thrown against a pole, the robot automatically wraps itself around it, securely grasping to it in a constrictor-like hold.
The Biorobotics Laboratory has been developing robotic snakes for a few years now, as part of its ongoing efforts to mimic a serpent's natural movements. The idea is to create a robot capable of slithering into tight spaces, perhaps for scouting or search-and-rescue missions. Researchers have also...
via The Verge - All Posts http://www.theverge.com/2013/3/23/4139272/biorobotics-laboratory-modular-snake-wraps-around-trees http://www.theverge.com/