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Meet DARPA's New Militarized Earthworm

Posted by Soulskill on from the that-sure-is-something dept.

derekmead writes "Meshworm is a toughened, robotic earthworm that can crawl virtually silently at a speed of about 5 millimeters per second. DARPA wants to send it into battle. Believe it or not, the Pentagon's been working on building a robotic earthworm for a while. They tried putting one together with gears. They tried with air-powered and pneumatic pumps, but the results were bulky and untenable. Then, researchers at Harvard, MIT and Seoul National University in Korea put their heads together and designed an 'artificial muscle.' It's essentially a polymer mesh that's wrapped with nickel and titanium wire designed to stretch and contract with heat. When an electric current is applied, the mesh mimics the circular muscle system of an earthworm to scoot forward."

11 of 83 comments (clear)

  1. Question by fustakrakich · · Score: 5, Funny

    Will they make good bait?

    --
    “He’s not deformed, he’s just drunk!”
    1. Re:Question by TXOgre · · Score: 5, Funny

      You know, a machine that mimics the motions of an earthworm probably would make a very effective bait. In fact there are several artificial worms out there that try to do exactly that by using the hydrodynamic forces created when reeling in the line. Someone should get on this right away!

    2. Re:Question by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      Hollywood has given sharks with lasers a bad rap. They cook their food first. They're quite civilized, really.

  2. Out fight against Queen slug-for-a-butt begins! by Kenja · · Score: 3, Funny

    I assume of course the development of a supper suit to aid our earth worm warriors.

    --

    "Have you ever thought about just turning off the TV, sitting down with your kids, and hitting them?"
  3. Worms! by mg127 · · Score: 5, Funny

    All that time spent playing Worms! and Earthworm Jim can now be put down on your resume as combat training experience.

  4. All hail the Shai Hulud! by jedidiah · · Score: 5, Funny

    The spice must flow!

    --
    A Pirate and a Puritan look the same on a balance sheet.
  5. I for one don't welcome by future+assassin · · Score: 1, Funny

    our anal probe worm robots.

    --
    by TheSpoom (715771) Uncaring Linux user here. I have nothing to add to this but please continue. *munches popcorn*
  6. Perfect Name: by Arakageeta · · Score: 4, Funny

    Jim.

  7. This is the beginning of the apocalypse by kelemvor4 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Because a sex toy based on this technology could be so good it would end the human race.

  8. I for one by devnullkac · · Score: 5, Funny

    I for one welcome our new earthworm, uh erm, underlords.

    --
    What do you mean they cut the power? How can they cut the power, man? They're animals!
  9. And his name was Jim. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Funny

    Earthworm Jim 2012.