Although it probably won't
win a following of apostles for the feat, Carnegie Mellon University bot Water Runner's ability to, well, walk on water,
is at least worthy of a small write-up in a gadget blog, we think. The lightweight plastic and carbon fiber robot, which
is the newest member of a supposed zoo of animal-inspired devices from CMU's NanoRobotics Lab, owes its gravity-defying
skills to research done by Harvard University biologists on the basilisk, or Jesus, lizard. Like its scaly counterpart,
Water Runner uses a rapid slapping motion of the "feet" that provides enough propulsion for the bot to
avoid sinking or tipping over. Although it's currently just in the proof-of-concept, prototype stage (like, it still
needs to be plugged into the wall, making it less than ideal for outdoor applications), future versions of the project
will sport batteries (of course), sensors for monitoring water quality, cameras for peeping stuff, and even bacteria
for breaking down pollutants (think: Exxon Valdez). These applications are all well and good, but as usual, all we
really wanna know is: could it take down
RoboSnake in a land-and-sea grudge match?
[Via
Robot Gossip]
posted Apr 7th 2006 8:55AM
Ranatra Fusca!
Nice, but why? What is wrong with the traditional desing model called: boat?
#2 maybe it can also walk on land. Probally not right now, but maybe some day.
I, for one, welcome our new water-walking robotic overlords.
I guess this is a newer model? My roommate back at CMU actually worked on this project and was featured in the NY Times a year or two back.
Awww, I miss CMU. So many random little robots wandering around.
CMU grads unite! Fight for the glory of Carnegie!! =)
-H&SS, Technical Writing, '96
These developments make baby Jesus cry.
Cool but if your gonna show this off, what's with the duct tape?
good to know the school i'll be attending next year has the ability to walk on water!
hah, plaid power. 2010
Wow. Looks like somebody's been playing a little too much of the metal cap level of Super Mario 64.
I guess this is as close to CMU Spring carnival fun as I'm going to get this year :)
"2. Nice, but why? What is wrong with the traditional desing model called: boat?"
this is why you work at circle k. think outside the box my friend.
Lemme know when it's programmable for catching trout, catfish, etc.
Documentation of the robot has been posted here:
http://www.societyofrobots.com/robot_jesus_lizard.shtml