SAW can go inside your stomach and swim its way to find internal problems.
A first of its kind, a robot named SAW is now being introduced, and it can perform a wave-like motion, which is unique to it and can come in handy for several versatile purposes.
The wave-propelled robot has been developed by engineers at the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU), in Israel.
Scientists suggest that it can actually be scaled down to a microscopic size, and can be used by doctors to internally examine their patients. SAW can crawl into your stomach and swim around, while detecting problems at the same time.
“Researchers all over the world have been trying to create a wave movement for 90 years”, said Dr David Zarrouk, head of BGU’s Bio-Inspired and Medical Robotics Lab.
It can actually be scaled up and down in size for fulfilling various purposes. By scaling up, SAW can be useful for assistance in mountain rescue and coastguard operations.
Its wave-like movement allows it move around, as well as crawl, climb and even swim through unstable terrains such as sand, grass, and gravel.
It can reach a speed up to 57cm per second. It also does not have any internal spine, and runs on a single motor.
“We succeeded by finding a simple, unique solution that enables the robot to be built in different sizes for different purposes”,says Dr. Zarrouk.
He adds, “For example, it can be scaled up for search and rescue and maintenance, or miniaturised to a diameter of one centimetre or less to travel within the human body for medical purposes, such as imaging and biopsies of the digestive system.”
Here is a video of SAW in action: