A U-Mich team has developed the ‘OmniTread’ snake-like robot, which moves in a variety of ways to get over obstacles (and impress the ladies). Weighing in at 26 pounds and controlled by a human operator, the OmniTread can roll like a log, lift its ‘head’ a segment at a time, or slink forward like a snake crossed with a tank. What that means to the casual robot observer is a snake-like robot that can not only squeeze through tight gaps, but can also clear curbs up to 18-inches tall.
A Snake-Shaped Serpentine Robot for Rugged Terrain [Primidi]
