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When thinking of a robot, a slinky snake might not immediately spring to mind. But researchers at ETH Zurich have invented just that. ‘RoBoa’ is a soft robot snake made of fabric, which is driven by pressurised air to reach 17 metres long. Its softness allows it to squeeze into tight spaces, plus with features like a water supply tube and a camera on its head, it could make a potentially brilliant aid in search and rescue operations after earthquakes.

From CrowdScience programme: Can robots be soft?

Presenter: Alex Lathbridge
Researchers: Pascal Auf der Maur, Betim Djambazi, Alexander Kübler
Producer: Julia Ravey

(Image: RoBoa in action on a rooftop in Zurich. Credit: Julia Ravey)