Vine-like robotic that ‘grows’ in the direction of warmth may put out fires

A vine-like segmented robotic that’s interested in warmth might be used to autonomously extinguish fires with out the necessity for expensive and complicated electronics

By Matthew Sparkes

A vine-like robotic can steer itself in the direction of a supply of warmth with out sensors, batteries or motors. The know-how might be used to create sensible hosepipes that strategy a burning constructing or forest hearth and steer themselves in the direction of the flames.

Charles Xiao on the College of California, Santa Barbara, and his colleagues have created a tool about 2 metres lengthy with dozens of segments. The workforce’s robotic mimics the way in which that vines and roots use …