Japanese use robots in search and rescue

I think there is no person left who would not have heard about the catastrophic earthquake in Japan. We will not talk again about how terrible it is, and count the number of victims - such arguments and counts, and so without a number. Let's look at one of the ways that the Japanese use in search and rescue. In this case, it will be a question of a serpentine robot, the “anatomy” of which is built in the image and likeness of a real snake.

For example, the shell of the robot is covered with rigid nylon fibers that help the robot to move forward - just as the scales of a real snake do. The movements of the robot, of course, are also very similar to the movements of an ordinary snake. In addition, around the “head” of the robot there are two very mobile joints, which allow the device to penetrate the narrowest gaps and cracks.
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The front of the robot is equipped with a camera and a flashlight - nothing superfluous. In general, the device is not so complicated, but the benefits it can bring are very significant. Below is a video where the creator of this robot, Satoshi Tadokoro, talks about how this "snake" works. Let's hope that the device will help save a lot of lives.



Via dvice