Unstoppable Snakebot

Part snake, part tank, this determined robot can climb stairs, roll over rough terrain and stretch over wide gaps.  

Weighing 26 pounds, the OmniTread - developed by researchers at the University of Michigan - can propel itself by various means.  Over 80 percent of its body is covered with moving treads that can tackle rough terrain.  It can also roll like a log or lift its head like an inchworm. 

A wire attached to its tail supplies electricity and allows a human operator to control the robot.

In tests, the OmniTread climbed an 18-inch curb, which is more than twice its height, and crossed a 26-inch trench, which is half its length.

A video showing the OmniTread in action can be seen here.

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-- LiveScience Staff

Credit: University of Michigan