Pollution-Seeking Robot Jumps Like a Flea
Writing by Conner Flynn on Thursday, 23 of August , 2007 at 4:55 am
Here is a story that is sure to make robots everywhere itch.
This bot has the ability to leap like a flea in it’s quest to cover vast areas of ground as it sniffs for pollution. Developed to detect mercury poisoning in the ground, it leaps about the way a flea would.(But looks much cooler. And doesn’t bite.)
The little palm sized creature measures about 10cm long and weighs in at 80g. Researchers at the University of Lucca debuted it in Switzerland during a symposium.
It’s creators believe that tiny robots like this are far more efficient than the larger variety at searching huge areas of land in a shorter time. This is just the latest in a long line of robots that mimic real life, animal behavior. Efficiency is just one way in which it is paying off.
Many of the nature documentaries that we watch are filmed with the help of small robots like this, enabling them to get up close and personal.
Try to watch your step while out and about. These bots are expensive!
Category: Eco-Friendly, Research
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Comment by John & Laura
Made Saturday, 25 of August , 2007 at 3:29 pm
Wow - that is really incredible! Very cool news!
I wonder how much one does cost? Besides stepping on one, there’s also birds or animals that might think of trying to eat one! Ha!
:)