New robotic ‘snake’ device grips, picks up objects

An invention similar to an elephant’s trunk has potential benefits for many industries where handling delicate objects is essential, say the UNSW researchers who developed it. The researchers say the versatile technology could be widely applied in sectors where fragile objects are handled, such as agriculture, food and the scientific and resource exploration industries – even for human rescue operations or personal assistive devices. Dr Thanh Nho Do, Scientia Lecturer and UNSW Medical Robotics Lab direc