<p><b> by Jeff Donlan</b></p>Stanford researchers have developed a soft robot that moves like a serpent, which could prove useful in search and rescue operations or medical applications.The tube-like robot navigates by folding itself inside out and can grow across long distances without moving its whole body. Air pressure is used to extend it to reach places a human can’t and its attached camera offers medics and rescue teams a close-up view. The soft structure also makes it safe to interact with humans.</p>After developing the prototype, researchers showcased its potential uses by sending the snake robot through a variety of obstacle courses. Robo-snake was able to squeeze past everything put in its way.</p><p>The snake is just one new type of robot created by mechanical engineers at Stanford University, detailed in a June 19 Science Robotics paper “A soft robot that navigates its environment through growth</a>.” Inspired by natural organisms that cover distance by growing – such as vines, fungi and nerve cells – the researchers have made a proof of concept of their soft, growing robot and continue to run it through challenging tests.</p></p><br /> <p>The post Snake-Like Robot May Be The Future Of Rescue Missions</a> appeared first on Vocativ</a>.</p>
