Robot Snake Stands Up, Wiggles Around
Writing by Evan Ackerman on Monday, 3 of March , 2008 at 4:28 am
My pet snake is capable of climbing up walls, but I’m pretty sure she isn’t able to stand on her tail and dance. Nor does she have blue LEDs. I guess Merlin Robotics’ “Snake” has my pet snake beat no hands down, but at least she’s not all cold and unfeeling and- Sigh. Nevermind. This robotic piece of interactive art stands 2 meters tall, and is powered pneumatically by 28 artificial muscles called “humaniform air muscles,” which are rubber balloons covered by a Kevlar mesh. They emulate natural muscles; as they inflate, they contract, just like your bicep. In contrast to standard motors and stuff, the air muscles are a very light and compliant technology. 19 sensors help keep Snake upright, and apparently, it’ll react to people by “dancing” with them… I’m not sure exactly how this is supposed to work, but I’d pay good money for someone to give it a hula hoop.
Snake will go on display at the London Science Museum’s DANA Center in April of this year.
[ Merlin Robotics Robosnake ] VIA [ Primidi ]
Category: Art
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