Rise of the Machines: Snakebot the Unstoppable

[Tuckerfan]

They’re calling it a high-tech slinky.

The 26-pound robot developed at the U-M College of Engineering is called OmniTread. It moves by rolling, log-style, or by lifting its head or tail, inchworm-like, and muscling itself forward. The robot’s unique tread design prevents it from stalling on rough ground, said research professor Johann Borenstein, head of the mobile robotics lab at U-M.

I find the tests they put it through interesting.

In one test, the OmniTread climbed an 18-inch curb, which is more than twice its height. It also crossed a 66-centimeter trench, which is half its length. In another test, it inched up a pipe by pushing against opposite walls.

Anyone else having flashbacks to a particular scene in one of the Porky’s movies?

[LeeshaJoy]

This thing is kinda cool, but it’s SLOW. I don’t think we need to fear an Invasion of the Snakebots anytime soon.

[Mr.Blue_Sky]

@LeeshaJoy

This thing is kinda cool, but it’s SLOW. I don’t think we need to fear an Invasion of the Snakebots anytime soon.

I, for one, welcome our slow-moving robotic reptile overlords.

[Sevo]

@Mr. Blue Sky

I, for one, welcome our slow-moving robotic reptile overlords.

Beat me to it.

Shakes fist and walks out of thread

[Dragwyr]

It seems to me there was a machine like this on BattleBots awhile back. As I recall it didn’t do all that well either and was extremely slow moving.

[CynicalGabe]

That is not nearly as ominous as this

[Tuckerfan]

@CynicalGabe

That is not nearly as ominous as this

I need one of those!