A snake robot is being developed by researchers at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU). These types of robots are “hardy, maneuverable and perfect for trips into extremely cramped hazardous environments.” Professor at CMU’s Robotic Institute Howie Choset said:

The biggest benefit of the snake robots is just getting to locations that a mobile robot or conventional robot can’t. This robot can mimic all motions that real snakes exhibit, and we’re able to do additional motions like roll like a pinwheel or climb up a pole.

The robot was tested at an inactive nuclear power plant in Fischamend Dorf, Austria. The results were impressive. Choset continued:

We were able to get our snake robot to climb through all sorts of pipes into the core. To see, you know, where we could bring this robot that is currently very difficult to inspect.

And, heaven forbid, there was another disaster where we may be able to bring this robot, to take samples and readings to better understand the situation inside of a nuclear power plant.

[Source: YouTube, NBC News]