Vlada Mitty describes squishy robots

[franksolich]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021146992

Oh my.

nadinbrzezinski (107,784 posts)

Researchers Build Squishy Robots With Camouflage Abilities

Researchers have built soft-bodied robots that can either blend in or stand out in their environment by changing their color.

The rubbery, four-legged robots mimic the behavior of soft-bodied creatures like starfish and squid. Most robots today are large and rigid and mimic the movements of mammals.

“Starfish and things of this kind are simpler than mammals,” said George M. Whitesides, a chemist at Harvard who is involved in the research. “Less able to pick up a door, but maybe able to perform other tasks.”

He and his colleagues published their findings in the current issue of the journal Science.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/21/science/harvard-scientists-build-robots-with-camouflage-abilities.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

And I thought this was science fiction...

The scary thing is that increasingly the science is getting close to the fiction.

NYC_SKP (42,950 posts)

1. Squishy is the future, rigid is the past.

Rigid is easily damaged, squishy can absorb impact and rebound.

DARPA is working on some pretty cool stuff that isn't quite ready for prime time, not yet.

eppur_se_muova (19,740 posts)

2. It's Cybersquid !

[DumbAss Tanker]

Apparently not a crunchy story...

[franksolich]

Apparently not a crunchy story...

What disturbs me is Vlada Mitty's liking for the word "squishy."

I've had, uh, experiences with women who like that word, and trust me, none were pleasant.

[67 Rover]

Sounds like we are going fork over more $$$ to ramp up production of the micro treadmills for the "squishy" shrimp.