march of the rectoworms

Worm-inspired robot crawls through intestines

They modelled it on polychaetes, or "paddle worms", which use tiny paddles on their body segments to push through sand, mud or water.

"We turned to biological inspiration because, in the peculiar environment of the gut, traditional forms of robotic locomotion don't work," says Arianna Menciassi. "Worms have locomotion systems suited to such unstructured, slippery environments."

But Gardner says the system would need careful testing. "If something this complicated goes wrong, it could be very hard to get out."

Movies, movies, movies.

And, previously.

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7 Responses:

  1. I'm sorry, but that should be tagged with "doomed" as far as my intestines are concerned.

  2. chuck_lw says:

    I have a feeling they'll perfect the anal sexbot long before this medical version becomes reality.

    Or maybe the robo-gerbil.

  3. valentwine says:

    Apparently, he didn't realize that in Germany, we use 220-volt currents. It took us 30 minutes just to get the smile off of his face.

  4. lordshell says:

    Nnngaaaahhhh!

    (writhes in agony on floor)

  5. Wouldn't it save all kinds of money just to equip regular tapeworms with video cameras?

  6. nightrider says:

    Ok, the first two movies I can handle... but that last one... WTF?? I think these "scientists" are clearly cenobites in disguise. No medical device should ever, ever look like that.

    Especially one that might wind up in your bum.
    (pardon the pun)

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