02:26Unsquashable cockroach-inspired robot to help in rescue operations
Inspired by cockroaches, researchers at the University of California, Berkeley created a robot capable of withstanding over 60 kilograms (132.7 pounds) of weight and that can be used in rescue operations, since it can easily fit through small cracks. On a visit to the Liwei Lin Laboratory at UC Berkeley on Friday, researchers demonstrated the robot's capabilities.
The insect-sized robot can be seen continuing to move despite being stepped on.
"The cockroach is a very strong insect, even when you want to kill it, it's very difficult. And it's a very very fast responding insect. It can appear in every corner of your home, right. That's a little creepy but it's very useful when you want to use it to search somewhere," explained postdoctoral researcher Junwen Zhong.
The robot is designed to be used during disasters such as earthquakes, especially in areas that cannot be reached by human rescue teams.
02:26Inspired by cockroaches, researchers at the University of California, Berkeley created a robot capable of withstanding over 60 kilograms (132.7 pounds) of weight and that can be used in rescue operations, since it can easily fit through small cracks. On a visit to the Liwei Lin Laboratory at UC Berkeley on Friday, researchers demonstrated the robot's capabilities.
The insect-sized robot can be seen continuing to move despite being stepped on.
"The cockroach is a very strong insect, even when you want to kill it, it's very difficult. And it's a very very fast responding insect. It can appear in every corner of your home, right. That's a little creepy but it's very useful when you want to use it to search somewhere," explained postdoctoral researcher Junwen Zhong.
The robot is designed to be used during disasters such as earthquakes, especially in areas that cannot be reached by human rescue teams.