Now, snake 'robots' that may help detect and disable explosives

Washington, July 30 (ANI): Engineers have developed snake-like autonomous robots that can slither into dangerous situations to detect and disable explosives.

U.S. Army Research Laboratory engineers have developed these robots to aid soldiers in search and rescue missions and to inspect potential threats from Improvised Explosive Devices, or IEDs.

The robots are equipped with electronic sensors and lasers that render 3-D images of object shapes and physical properties.

Touch sensitive sensor allows the bot to feel, balance and rotate objects.

They can be built in any size, and can climb stairs or rough terrains.

"Consider that snakes push off rocks or roots to propel their bodies. We are using this same concept in development," Discovery News quoted Derek Schererer as saying.

The robots can even over come a long time 'robot' problem - opening doors. High levels of articulation in the snake robot could prove to be effective for grasping and rotating different types of door handles. (ANI)