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Scandinavian Scientists Designing Robotic Snakes

Posted by samzenpus on from the on-a-robot-plane dept.

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."

15 of 129 comments (clear)

  1. snakes eat rats by suck_burners_rice · · Score: 5, Funny

    Then they'll have to design robotic rats too, so the robotic snakes have something to eat.

    --
    McCain/Palin '08. Now THAT's hope and change!
    1. Re:snakes eat rats by tmarklund · · Score: 4, Funny

      Then we need robotic mongooses for when the snakes get out of control.

    2. Re:snakes eat rats by Yvanhoe · · Score: 5, Funny

      And they live on planes, we'll have to design robotic planes too...

      --
      The Wise adapts himself to the world. The Fool adapts the world to himself. Therefore, all progress depends on the Fool.
  2. The toilet... by tankadin · · Score: 4, Funny
    Just imagine sitting and having "deep thoughts" and then all of a sudden that robotic snake overlord poking you from under

    Where is John Connor when you need him?

  3. Pigs Begat Snakes by pipingguy · · Score: 4, Informative

    More than you ever wanted to know about devices that inspect/clean, etc. the internals of pipes. These snakes sound like a logical next step. Boring to you, fascinating to me.

    1. Re:Pigs Begat Snakes by KGIII · · Score: 4, Interesting

      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."
  4. Snakes... by seandiggity · · Score: 3, Funny

    ...Why'd it have to be snakes?

    I can only assume this is somehow related to another Indiana Jones movie.

    --
    Geeks like to think that they can ignore politics, you can leave politics alone, but politics won't leave you alone.-rms
    1. Re:Snakes... by Lyrael · · Score: 5, Funny

      Mind you, moose bites kan be pretty nasty.

    2. Re:Snakes... by Flip-Chip · · Score: 3, Funny

      "Scandinavians long for warmer weather"

      That's why SUVs are gaining popularity in Norway :-D

    3. Re:Snakes... by dintech · · Score: 4, Insightful

      If you're think of Harrison Ford and robotic snakes, you must be thinking of Blade Runner.

  5. Bad Ass Snakes! by TheRagingTowel · · Score: 3, Informative

    The summery looks awfully similar to things CMU has already done - see hack a day

    --
    4Z5TX
  6. Damn robotic snakes! by LS · · Score: 5, Funny

    I want these mutha fuckin robotic snakes out these mutha fuckin complicated industrial pipe systems!

    --
    There is a fine line between being a cultivated citizen and being someone else's crop. - A. J. Patrick Liszkie
  7. Would those snakes be running... by cephah · · Score: 5, Funny

    Python?

    1. Re:Would those snakes be running... by rabiddeity · · Score: 4, Funny

      I don't know, but their website runs ASP

  8. The inevitable Hollywood blockbuster... by Attila+the+Bun · · Score: 4, Funny

    ..."Snakes in a Drain"