News: Uncle Sam, the All-American Robot Snake

Don't be fooled by the fancy monocle: this servo-powered serpent is as American as Apple Computers. So American, in fact, that his creators at Carnegie Mellon decided to christen him Uncle Sam. Boasting more points of articulation than a GI Joe, Sam's hobbies include crawlin' in the dirt and climbin' trees.

Don't tread on me:

Play it again, Sam:

Lin Edwards of Physorg writes,

The snake's movements are biomimetic, mimicking movements of real snakes including side-winding, wiggling and rolling. [It] can also wrap itself around a tree trunk and climb vertically up the outside of the tree [...].

Uncle Sam is built using modular segments containing actuators and sensors, and the head segment is fitted with a camera. Being modular allows the snake robot the potential to be self-assembled in the field, and also simplifies repair of the robot if sections are damaged. The modular nature also means the robot's length can be adjusted easily as needed.

• Previously, Legs o' LEGO: Pinocchio, the Amazing Bipedal Android.