Stanford Researchers Made a Soft Robot Snake That Can Grow

In terms of saving lives, sot robots have a lot of potential. Consider search and rescue as an example. When there is an earthquake or explosion, a building will fall. To find trapped survivors, a robot similar to Stanford's soft robot snake may be sent in right away. It would writhe through the gaps and crevices carrying a camera and even water for the victim. Rescuers would be able to maximize their odds of saving lives by knowing exactly where to look.

When you observe how spooky the robot snake actually is—capable of truly growing over and through obstacles like the crawling tendril of a fast-moving vine—you must keep that upside in mind. It unfolds like a sock as it expands, and more material is always able to be added. Since the rest of the robot keeps expanding, the base or start never needs to be moved.