*promote

Promoting this video and sending it back into the queue for one more try; last queued Tuesday, November 29th, 2011 10:01am PST - promote requested by MycroftHomlz.

I read about this the other day:

http://news.yahoo.com/gumby-flexible-robot-crawls-tight-spaces-200129817.html

excerpt:

Harvard scientists have built a new type of flexible robot that is limber enough to wiggle and worm through tight spaces.

It's the latest prototype in the growing field of soft-bodied robots. Researchers are increasingly drawing inspiration from nature to create machines that are more bendable and versatile than those made of metal.

The Harvard team, led by chemist George M. Whitesides, borrowed from squids, starfish and other animals without hard skeletons to fashion a small, four-legged rubber robot that calls to mind the clay animation character Gumby.

Reminded me of this: http://movieclips.com/Vpwa-minority-report-movie-spider-robots/

What's the application of these robots?

>> ^rellik:

What's the application of these robots?


Retrieving that lost M&M from under the couch.

>> ^rellik:

What's the application of these robots?


To look for survivors of an earthquake. To scare your cat. To hunt for potential murderers in Minority Report. Because we motherf@%king can.

Like Neil DeGrasse Tyson says, this is the frontier. What this is useful for, as Michael Faraday says, "One day sir, you may tax it" - i.e. it might not have any practical application at this stage, but something awesome invented some day will be built on something that was built on something that was built on something that used this technology.

>> ^rellik:

What's the application of these robots?


Slippers that walk by themselves would be nice.

Is this device safe for water based lubricants?

I'd be squirming like that too if I had a whisk shoved up my ass.

>> ^bareboards2:

It's the latest prototype in the growing field of soft-bodied robots.
Nothing new. My boss is a soft-bodied robot.

Let's hope it doesn't get the hiccups...

Less a robot and more remotely automated balloon.

That thing is creepy.

Hello? Is this thing on?

Looks like something you'd blow out your nose and cough up in an alien invasion movie.

I, for one...