NASA’s snake-like, self-propelled robot designed to scout extreme terrain unreachable by tracked or wheeled platforms could be used to support tunnel warfare.
Exobiology Extant Life Surveyor (EELS) principal investigator Masahiro Ono recently said the military could find the EELS useful because “you never know what the environments are or what kind of mobility is optimal,” National Defense reported.
The robot can traverse water, sand, rock, and ice.
Once in service, the platform can be used to support surveillance and reconnaissance missions, especially in enclosed dynamic terrain.
Features
The EELS comprises multiple identical segments linked to create a mobile sidewinding snake.
It is driven by propulsion mechanisms and supported by communication links to deliver improved performance.
The technology was showcased during a conference in Maryland, where it slinked through ice-laden tunnels and entered the ocean.
NASA plans to subject the EELS robot to more extensive laboratory and field tests to include caves and tunnels used in tunnel warfare.
