Military tech

Student project: Bolt-action coil gun

As a side project, one kid built a six-round, bolt-action, high-powered coil gun. I’m afraid.

Grazing robot would run on biomass

The biologically inspired Energetically Autonomous Tactical Robot concept conjures up an animal-like ability to find and extract energy as it goes.

Originally posted at Military Tech

Robo-copter can navigate inside your home

Small flying robot called the Pelican can navigate the interiors of buildings autonomously, proving it can outperform military technology.

Hydraulic hand promises Hulk handshakes

Oak Ridge labs is developing a “mesofluidic” hydraulic hand that can double the pinch strength of your fingers. Applications include remote disarming of explosives.

Urban Hopper robot can leap over 25-foot walls

DARPA shows off the Precision Urban Hopper, a small wheeled robot that can leap over tall obstacles. It’s designed for urban surveillance operations.

iRobot’s oozy ChemBot amazes and terrifies

We’re getting a first glimpse of that shape-shifting ChemBot we first told you about last year, and all we can say is, please keep it away from us.

Ninety-foot drop can’t stop robot cockroach

Researchers at UC Berkeley are developing a robot cockroach that can be assembled in about an hour, move quickly, and survive 92-foot falls.

Robomule Rex follows soldiers, voice commands

Will orders for Israel Aerospace Industries’ six-wheel robotic “beast of burden,” designed to carry 440 pounds of foot soldiers’ stuff for 72 hours sans refueling, roll in?

Originally posted at Military

Monocopter design takes cues from maple seeds

What some helicopters do with two or more blades this one does with just one–and it’s inspired by nature’s spiraling maple seed.

Divining rod reborn as explosive-detection device

The Iraqi government has purchased more than 1,500 units of the ADE 651, a bomb detector that makes very questionable claims.