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Scandinavian Scientists Designing Robotic Snakes
Cowards Anonymous writes "The Sintef Group, a research company based in Trondheim, Norway, announced that it's designing a robot based on snakes. The 1.5-meter long robots, which are made of aluminum, are being designed to inspect and clean complicated industrial pipe systems that are typically narrow and inaccessible to humans. The intelligent robots have multiple joints to enable them to twist vertically and climb up through pipe systems to locate leaks in water systems, inspect oil and gas pipelines and clean ventilation systems."
http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/06/robotic-snake-moves-by-pushing-off-obstacles/ I remember reading an article about a guy designing robotic snakes more than 10 years ago. Hardly surprising that they have found an application for them now.
Show a man some news, distract him for an hour. Show a man some mod points, distract him for the rest of his life.
LOL Not at all uninteresting to me. Actually, I'll take the off-topic hit if required. Have you seen the robots that go down 'em and weld 'em up and then the one that goes behind it and checks the weld? I guess they can do all of that in one single unit now but I had/have a buddy who's job it was to drive a remote control car (basically) up the pipes before and after. Because he's one of the greatest bullshitters of all time I was able to go with him and enjoy a few of the jobs he worked on when he was in my area. It isn't just interesting, it is fascinating to some of us.
"So long and thanks for all the fish."
Because we have very few species of snakes in Scandinavia. In Sweden there are only three species, and none is especially dangerous. Even the snakes think it's too cold up here in the north.
Scandinavians long for warmer weather, palm trees and fierce animals. The most dangerous animals in Sweden are the moose (car accidents) and wasps. Boring.