New robot snake to aid rescue missions

MELBOURNE: A student in New Zealand has developed a remote controlled robotic snake that can slither under rubble to help rescue trapped people.

University of Waikato Master of Engineering (ME) student Pinwei Jin designed and built the robotic snake, which he hopes will be used in the future for rescue operations.

"Earthquakes and other natural disasters happen frequently in New Zealand and when it comes to the big ones, many lives could be saved if search and rescue operations were conducted more effectively and efficiently," said Pinwei.

Differing from the existing mobile rescue robot systems currently in the market place, Pinwei said his snake robot provides the flexibility of movement needed in cluttered and irregular environments created by disasters.

"The snake robot features a wireless camera on its head and is controlled by a wireless joystick to move forward, backwards, left and right.

"It has 16 degrees of freedom from the eight joints, nine segments, 16 motors and nine passive wheels. Essentially it can move along the ground like a snake," said Pinwei.

The prototype was presented at the University of Waikato's Carter Holt Harvey Pulp and Paper Engineering Design Show.