SINTEF scientists working up pipe inspection robot

AiKo, Anna Konda -- you two had a good run, but it's time to pass the torch onto something that slithers a bit better. Cybernetics and optical measurement scientists at SINTEF are currently creating a wheeled pipe inspection robot that would "be able to climb, navigate intersections and at any given time know its location in the pipe system." Currently, the project is still stuck in the design phase (that's the Pneumosnake pictured), with some members working on a propulsion solution while others munch on snacks develop a new visual system. Just what the world needs... robots that can maneuver out of whatever holding cell we desperate humans encage them in.

[Thanks, Isindil]

[M.Samba @ Jun 23rd 2008 3:10PM]

So once all the different "classes" of robots unite we are utterly doomed.
Good Job humanity!

[phanbouy @ Jun 23rd 2008 3:42PM]

ya..now they're snaking thru our infrastructure.

[Decoy @ Jun 23rd 2008 6:10PM]

.. steelin ur megahurtz?

[Isindil @ Jun 23rd 2008 3:24PM]

I was about to say that Norway is making a better one, then I remembered that SINTEF is Norwegian. Nevertheless, I believe the image in the link below says more about their current design status:
http://www.ntnu.no/gemini/2008-02/2008-02/bilder/robot530.jpg

[DESTOS @ Jun 23rd 2008 3:54PM]

Hah, and engadget just updated their article with your picture.

Good play.

[thedesolate1 @ Jun 23rd 2008 4:05PM]

"and scientists say it will be used primarily to help gynecologists find buried treasure and lost items"

[olsonick @ Jun 23rd 2008 4:06PM]

Don't use the EMP while Neo is jacked in.

[rony @ Jun 23rd 2008 4:16PM]

jokes aside......this will be a useful tool for proctologists, seriously speaking.......might save your life one day.

[Justin @ Jun 23rd 2008 4:56PM]

Reminds me of the little inspector robots in Minority Report, only these seem even more creepy

[Fatima @ Jun 23rd 2008 4:21PM]

Snake?.....SNAAAKE!

[engadgetier @ Jun 23rd 2008 4:46PM]

this will somehow end up in someones body........

[jfjb @ Jun 23rd 2008 4:56PM]

i can see some arteries being cleaned up from the inside

[jfjb @ Jun 23rd 2008 4:57PM]

did I say i can see some arteries being cleaned up from the inside?

[jfjb @ Jun 23rd 2008 5:08PM]

Yes, you did.
Who's there?
It's me, your ego.
Ah... I thought you were my self.
Not at all, he's currently being roto-rootered by one of those snakes, and my comments appear and disappear at will on this page.
Where is your snake?

[Rocketboy @ Jun 23rd 2008 6:13PM]

These pipes... are now CCCLLLEEEEAAAAANNNNN!!!!

[Artie Lange @ Jun 23rd 2008 11:37PM]

I can't believe that this is not the highest ranked comment in all of Engadget history. "Cabin Boy" is the greatest movie ever made. Not "ever made by humans"; ever made by ANY sentient being. Including dolphins AND octopuses.

I wish I were a Fancy Lad.

[phanbouy @ Jun 23rd 2008 9:00PM]

POST MOAR PLZ THX

[hexhunter @ Jun 23rd 2008 9:09PM]

Robotnik's at it again I see, he should seriously leave those innocent Animals alone...

- Deus X Machina

[BigD145 @ Jun 23rd 2008 9:22PM]

Keep that thing away from my toilet.

[BerBar @ Jun 24th 2008 1:00AM]

It would be nice if they were able to create one resistent to high-pressure, high-temperature environments. That would help on the inspection of oil wells.

[dan @ Aug 5th 2008 9:26AM]

So will this help Ted Stevens unclog the tubes on the Internets so his e-mail can get to him faster?