Use of continuum robots for remote inspection operations

摘要

We discuss the potential of long, thin “continuum” robots to enable new and more effective approaches to remote inspection. Resembling robotic cables, this new class of robots can enter and explore congested and potentially unstable environments, sending back information from sensors at their tips. This capability is of particular value in search operations in disaster relief situations. We illustrate the potential using a thin continuum robot in representative tasks.