Has anyone ever made or seen a robot that's the size/shape of a pencil that has inner motors and can propel itself by rolling? That would be useful if you put a small camera in it (it would have to be stopped of course to record or take a picture).
The only reason I mentioned that was because I could see the originally linked to robot being useful if it could also return to it's flat position on it's own and slide under doors (would need thin batteries and motors but that's doable). But then the pencil shaped robot seems more practical for that purpose and would be fairly stealthy.
Considering how much work is involved, the "walking" that robot does is a bit underwhelming. It looks more like flailing that conveniently propels it forward.
The only reason I mentioned that was because I could see the originally linked to robot being useful if it could also return to it's flat position on it's own and slide under doors (would need thin batteries and motors but that's doable). But then the pencil shaped robot seems more practical for that purpose and would be fairly stealthy.
I tried looking it up but all I found was this crazy looking thing: http://archive.wired.com/design/2014/02/nasas-super-ball-bot...