Smartphone-Powered Snake Robot Adapts to Unstructured Terrain

With a flexible midsection, this snake robot can access and inspect everything from fallen buildings to pipes. As an added bonus, it can climb stairs if needed.

James Morra

Oct. 12, 2015

2 min read

Inspired by an actual snakersquos shape the Guardian S can reach areas that are too small or dangerous for humans to access Image courtesy of Sarcos — Inspired by an actual snake’s shape, the Guardian S can reach areas that are too small or dangerous for humans to access. (Image courtesy of Sarcos).

As robots become cheaper to build and more resilient when navigating unpredictable terrain, companies are trying to sell them for more commercial applications like package delivery and inspections. Sarcos, for instance, recently unveiled a snake robot with a flexible design that makes it ideal for inspecting confined areas.

Also known as a multi-dimensional mobility robot (MDMR), the Guardian S is designed with a flexible midsection to climb stairs and pass through narrow pipes. Its imaging and sensing capabilities can be adjusted for military deployment as well as for law enforcement, disaster recovery, and mapping, among other applications.

The sensors on the snake robot can be swapped out for different applications, said Fraser Smith, president of Sarcos, in an interview with Electronic Design. For example, it can be equipped with stereo-vision cameras, ground-penetrating radar, and heart-rate sensors to detect people in a collapsed building.

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(Image courtesy of Sarcos).

The sensors can also be used for navigation: the Guardian S can be equipped with grippers, or “whiskers,” with embedded force and position sensors that provide situational awareness. The robot can be controlled remotely over several miles and supports two-way communications via a smartphone on its back.

Robots like the Guardian S are slowly filtering down from military applications. Police departments are using robots like the Robotex’s Avatar III Tactical Robot. Though the Guardian S was originally developed with funding from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Sarcos plans to start leasing the robot to companies and government agencies on a monthly basis.

The Guardian S snake robot debuted at the 2015 National Tactical Officers Association Conference. It is scheduled to be commercially available later this year. Due to its military applications and trade restrictions, the robot will only be offered to companies and government organizations in the United States

About the Author

James Morra

Senior Editor

James Morra is the senior editor for Electronic Design, covering the semiconductor industry and new technology trends, with a focus on power electronics and power management. He also reports on the business behind electrical engineering, including the electronics supply chain. He joined Electronic Design in 2015 and is based in Chicago, Illinois.