5 things you didn’t know about... snake robots
Credit: SINTEF/Thor Nielsen. Prototypes of the snake robots that may carry out maintenance work on the ISS.
1. Snake-like robots that could be used to carry out inspection and maintenance work on the International Space Station (ISS)
2. Some of the snake robot prototypes are made from 3D-printed plastic components.
3. This ESA commissioned research continues research carried out three years ago by SINTEF into snake robots assessing the potential of living in lava tunnels on the Moon.
4. SINTEF researchers are currently investigating what type of sensors the robots would need and what existing technology can be used. For example, the technology used in Astrobee, a drone that will soon be used to carry out inspections on the ISS, could be repurposed.
5. The snake-like shape of the robots is key to their function. The ISS is in a constant state of free-fall around the Earth, meaning any robot onboard would need to float and move itself around using the interior of the ISS.
To find out more visit bit.ly/2un2snI or see page 9 of the upcoming August issue of Materials World.
