May 20, 2005 A virtually unstoppable "snakebot" developed by a
University of Michigan team resembles a high-tech slinky as it
climbs pipes and stairs, rolls over rough terrain and spans wide
gaps to reach the other side. The 26-pound robot developed at
the U-M College of Engineering is called OmniTread. It moves by
rolling, log-style, or by lifting its head or tail, inchworm-
like, and muscling itself forward. The robot's unique tread
design prevents it from stalling on rough ground, said research
professor Johann Borenstein, head of the mobile robotics lab at
U-M. « Back to Snake-like robot conquers obstacles