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Rattlesnakes tutor robot on dune climbing

Sidewinder snakes show roboticists a trick for climbing treacherous sand

sidewinder rattlesnake

SNAKES ON PLANES  A sidewinder rattlesnake’s unusual skill in climbing sandy slopes inspired tweaks to long, skinny robots.

Adam Thompson

By Susan Milius

- More than 2 years ago

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Sidewinder rattlesnakes wriggling up sand dunes turn out to have a trick of adjusting their curvy moves that’s improving robot design and the understanding of legless motion on sand.