iRobot Introduces Morphing Blob Robot 177
Aristos Mazer sends word of research out of iRobot on a "chembot," or morphing blob robot, that looks like dough and moves by shifting its sides from solid-like to liquid-like states. This will allow it, in theory and after lots of refinement, to pass through cracks by squeezing. iRobot calls the new technique "jamming." The research project was funded by DARPA. The video clearly shows the early stage the work is in, but when you think about it the possibilities are a little unsettling.
Re:The Ball! (Score:2, Informative)
What do you mean "the ball"? It's hardly be an object of terror if it was called "the ball", now would it?
It's called Rover.
Re:Similar projects (Score:3, Informative)
"From the article, it appears that they started doing this 5 years ago and have made significant progress"
Research in this area has made significant progress, yes, but still a long long way to go. There will probably be milestones along the way though, where a partially successful device may have lesser uses, but uses nontheless. There are already nanostructures that 'swim' using energy (eg, sugars) in the liquid they are put in, but when I saw those, they were just dumb self propelling motors, there was no control element to it.
"I wonder if the iRobot technology is similar?"
I don't know about other iRobot tech, but this stuff isn't. The video [youtube.com] explains how it works.
Re:What I want.... (Score:4, Informative)
"The Karcher RC-3000 automatic vacuum cleaner features a battery powered, self emptying, 11" vacuuming robot and self recharging base station.
I can't find a price, but last time I saw, it was about twice the price of the Roomba.
Re:Finally (Score:4, Informative)