Demo: A Versatile Snake Robot That Masters Tough Terrain and Climbs Metal Walls

Last week, a visitor slithered through the IEEE Spectrum office. The robotics company Sarcos had brought around its new snake robot, the Guardian S, to show off its moves. While it performed its tricks--shimmying sideways, rolling over, rearing up, and even sliding its magnetized body straight up a metal door--an impressed staff member mentioned that his son would love to have a snakebot to play with. "We're taking orders if you want one!" said Sarcos CEO Ben Wolff. Of course, the Guardian S isn't meant to be a pet or a plaything; the applications Wolff rattles off are in the realms of industry and security.