New inspection bots inspired by bat sonar

With all the world domination posturing by robots, you wouldn't think they'd be so dang good all this humanitarian and safety-related stuff, but it seems if they aren't busy pulling somebody out of a building, they're inspecting those very buildings for structural integrity. These new bots by the University of Strathclyde fall into that latter category, and use bat-inspired echolocation to navigate and inspect their surroundings. The robots report back to a mission control computer which manages the group of robo-inspectors based on the collective findings. There's also a camera on board each bot, along with a magnet to test for corrosion. It doesn't look like these bots will make it to market for another 10 years, but when they do they're expected to make the job of inspecting nuclear installations and gas pipelines a whole lot more fun.

[cd @ Sep 13th 2006 1:27PM]

I, for one, welcome our new inspection bots inspired by bat sonar overlords.

[Trip @ Sep 13th 2006 1:52PM]

I think this is a great idea. Its too bad that it will take so long for them to get to market.

[RB @ Sep 13th 2006 2:47PM]

Cool... a mouse droid from Star Wars!

[Nith @ Sep 13th 2006 3:44PM]

I think it will be really cool if they could combine together to one power sonar bot capable of taking out stracturally unsafe buildings (and cats) :-p

[Warhorse @ Sep 13th 2006 5:13PM]

Hmmm, a cat hunting bot... that does have merrit

[Dean Jackson @ Sep 13th 2006 5:28PM]

A lab at CMU has been doing this for ten years.

[Dean Jackson @ Sep 13th 2006 5:30PM]

CMU: http://biorobotics.org/

[Bob Adahn @ Sep 13th 2006 11:52PM]

While CMU has been doing robotics, they've not been doing the non-destructive evaluation with the through air (i.e. non-contact) ultrasound that avoid problems with uneven surfaces or the use of couplant fluids. It's the combination of the technologies that's unique.