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Robotic Penguins

Posted by samzenpus on from the unending-march-of-the-penguins dept.

Corporate Troll writes "Robotic penguins were unveiled by German engineering firm Festo this week. Using their flippers, the mechanical penguins (video) can paddle through water just like real ones, while larger helium-filled designs can "swim" through the air. The penguins are on show at the Hannover Messe Trade Exhibition in Germany. Each penguin carries 3D sonar which is used to monitor its surroundings and avoid collisions with walls or other penguins."

2 of 118 comments (clear)

  1. This is the future.. by Lorienthin · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I am still relatively young and without children..but is the purpose here that when we systematically destroy actual penguins' habitat I can still show my kid this robot and say "Well, they used to swim kind of like that"....

  2. Re:Now we need a robotic shark.... by The+Grim+Reefer2 · · Score: 2, Insightful

    (frickin' laser sold separately).

    Which is a good thing since at 1:37 they discuss the He penguins and claim "A micro-controller gives the penguins free will to explore this space"

    Armed machines with free will never turns out to be a good thing for humans in the movies.