steerable distal portion 14 which are controlled via computer and or electronic controller 30 such an exemplary automatically controlled endoscope is described in further detail in commonly assigned u s patent application ser no 10 229 577 now u s pat no 6 858 005 and ser no 11 750 988 both previously incorporated herein by reference preferably the distal end of a tendon more thoroughly described below is mechanically connected to each articulatable segment 28 while the proximal end of the tendon is mechanically connected to an actuator which is used to articulate segments 28 and or steerable distal portion 14 this is more fully described below and in u s patent application ser no 10 229 577 now u s pat no 6 858 005 and ser no 11 750 988 both incorporated by reference herein the actuators driving the tendons may include a variety of different types of mechanisms capable of applying a force to a tendon e g electromechanical motors pneumatic and hydraulic cylinders pneumatic and hydraulic motors solenoids shape memory alloy wires electronic rotary actuators or other devices or methods as known in the art if shape memory alloy wires are used they are preferably configured into several wire bundles attached at a.