Snake-inspired step-climbing robot could help in better disaster response

In an attempt to make search and rescue operations more tech-savvy, scientists at John Hopkins University have recently developed a robot snake that mimics the reptile's movements in order to traverse obstacles. According to reports, the scientists that developed the robot hope that it will navigate treacherous terrains such as earthquake and flood-affected areas that may lead to better search and rescue. Great application for disaster rescue operations The robot can be of great use to search and rescue teams working at disaster sites. It can access small crevices and areas that would have previously been accessible and search for survivors, saving countless lives in the process. According to reports, scientists observed movement of snakes keenly and made a robot that can climb large steps nimbly just like them. By studying how snakes move their bodies, @HopkinsEngineer built a robot that could help in disaster response. More here: https://t.co/16l5BAx0JA pic.twitter.com/jIrKxepqWB — JHU Media Relations (@JHUmediareps) February 19, 2020 Speaking to media, Chen Li, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering at Johns Hopkins University in the US and a senior author of the research, claimed that snake was chosen as the subject of study because they are so adept at stably traversing obstacles in everyday life. The team at John Hopkins hopes that their robot will, in the future, be able to perfectly mimic the movements of the snake and make way through pieces of rubble and debris to carry out search and rescue operations. Read: Max Verstappen Suggests Placing 'robots' In F1 Cars After Aggressive Driving Criticism Read: Netizens Amazed As China Uses Robots To Deliver Food To Coronavirus Affected Patients By studying the movement of snakes, Johns Hopkins researchers have designed a nimble robot to aid in search and rescue operations. Full release: https://t.co/s6gRbaBdyD pic.twitter.com/7a0tJDae1h — Johns Hopkins University (@JohnsHopkins) February 19, 2020 The study was published in the Royal Society Open Science journal. The researchers observed that the front and rear body of snakes wriggled back and forth on the horizontal steps like a wave while their middle body section remained stiff, hovering just so, to bridge the large step. The wriggling portions provided the snake stability and allowed it to climb obstacles without tipping over. According to the study, the robot snake they created is more stable than all other previous snake robots, all but one. The study further adds that the snake is still far more superior, but the results they have produced are promising for the future of the development of robots. (Image Credit: Johns Hopkins University) Read: China Deploying Robots To Contain Spread Of Deadly Coronavirus Read: Coronavirus Outbreak: China, US Use Robots To Prevent Spread Of SARS-like Virus

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Snake-inspired step-climbing robot could help in better disaster response

Inspired by movement of snakes, scientists have created a robot that can stably climb large steps; this may lead to better search & rescue operations in future.

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