Robot Snake Could Aid Search and Rescue Operations

mikejuk writes "The Carnegie Mellon University Biorobotics Lab demonstrates how the snakelike robots can aid search and rescue operations in collapsed buildings. The video appeared more or less at the same time as the current real disaster in Dhaka, Bangladesh where an 8-storey building collapsed, trapping some three thousand people. Bangladesh rescue teams, helped by members of the community, have so far worked with small tools and their bare hands to bring out survivors. Having a snake robot that could provide pictures from within the building would lead to speedier and more effective rescue operations."

Re:Or proper construction.

[rmdingler]

properly construct

Much of the construction process is out of your hands once you and the building contractor have reached an accord. In one of those pervasive occupational instances of irony, the difference between the price you've agreed on and what it actually costs to finish the project is what the contractor makes. Additionally, each subcontractor beneath the general contractor is working a 'bid job' as soon as their feet hit the site... in no way, shape, form, nor circumscription is this a statistically beneficial scenario for the building owner. Sure, there are some honest contractors who will complete a job per submittals and specifications even if they underbid the scope of their work, but I've seen examples of the other type aplenty.