Magic Bots: Vine-Inspired Robots Can Grow on Demand

livescience.com ^ | July 21, 2017 03:08pm ET | Charles Q. Choi

[BenLurkin]

Robots that mimic ivy vines can grow thousands of times their original lengths at speeds faster than the average person can run, a new study finds.

The new soft, flexible robots could one day be used in tight situations, such as to slither through rubble or snake inside the human body...

The newly developed robot is made of soft, flexible polyethylene, the most common plastic in the world. It grows from its tip via internal air pressure, which pushes plastic tubing stored at its base up through the core of its body. The robot is initially about 11 inches (28 cm) long, but can rapidly reach a maximum length of about 236 feet (72 meters), according to the researchers.

"The body doesn't move as the tip extends," Hawkes told Live Science. "That is, you could hold the body of the robot tightly in your hands, and the tip would keep growing."

[Monkey Face]

Da katz did da ‘splody fings on da sofa! Squee!

[Tax-chick]

Yep. Cats everywhere.

[Monkey Face]

The ambulance was outside my door again, and I have no clue who it was for.

The places were not designed with ambulance access in mind, and that’s the truth.

It rained last night, and may rain again this morning. Since it’s too cold to leave the door open, I didn’t know it rained until I stepped out to see what the rumbling was, though I’m sure I already knew.

[Tax-chick]

It rained here, too. Jake got wet.

[Monkey Face]

Poor Jake! Cats don’t like the rain and I think that’s because when the drops hit the fur and displace it, it tickles.

I don’t like that feeling either!

[Tax-chick]

Jake told me it was all my fault. It’s also my fault that there’s no sunbeam in his bed, and that it’s cold outside, so the window isn’t open.

[Monkey Face]

Yes, yes... I can see where the rain, cold and dark could be all your fault. You ARE the hoomin of residence so it stands to reason that you’re at fault for everything.

Jake should be more like Shannon, and just sit and scream at string pieces in her way.

The rain has left everything smelling clean and fresh. At least when I move, I won’t have to give that up!

[ArGee]

Here a cat, there a cat, everywhere a cat, cat.

[ArGee]

We had a very rainy day yesterday, so cold and clear today. But the temperatures are warming up to a rainy Saturday.

[Monkey Face]

How’s the job search coming along? Anything promising?

[Tax-chick]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3631736/posts

How about a new Undead Thread? Radioactive repilian espionage!

[Darksheare]

We will see how the thread originator responds.

[ArGee]

How’s the job search coming along? Anything promising?

Thanks for asking. One possibility that sounded very promising on Friday afternoon suddenly went dark. I'm trying not to assume they've also gone cold.

I have 2 follow-on phone interviews today with jobs I'm less enthusiastic about. And several more contacts I'm waiting to hear back from.

Promising isn't the word, but it's not demoralizing yet.

[Darksheare]

[Darksheare]

MOVE IMPENDING

All Hands Stand By!

MOVE IMPENDING

All Hands Stand By!

[Darksheare]

This is the END of the
Spawn of the Undead Thread: The Summer (July 2017) Chronicles (redux)

Join us at
Spawn of the Undead Thread: The February Chronicles redux

This is the END of the
Spawn of the Undead Thread: The Summer (July 2017) Chronicles (redux)

Join us at
Spawn of the Undead Thread: The February Chronicles redux

[Monkey Face]

WOOT! I was out with Charlie and just caught this as it was pulling away!