Robotic Technology Inc. has developed a new kind of robot. This robot actually uses alternative sources of fuel such as organic matter. This entails mainly plant matter, however the robot may use more traditional fuels also such as gasoline, kerosene, coal, etc. Dr. Bob Finkelstein (which strangely sounds like Frankenstein) says that the EATR (Energetically Autonomous Tactical Robot) will not eat any animal or human remains. The main advantage of the EATR is that they could roam the countryside for months and even years without any required attention from humans beings. This sounds beneficial, but I feel it could also turn into something quite terrible. Who wants robots running around for years on end eating random things (and hopefully not us)?
Keller, John. "Biomass-Eating Military Robot Is a Vegetarian, Company Says". Foxnews.com. 16 Jan, 2009. 10 Aug, 2009. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,533382,00.html
Very interesting green technology. While the military benefits are discussed in the article, I wonder about other applications of the technology. Could it be adapted for underwater use, we could see underwater exploration from self sustaining robots? How about in a lawnmower that uses the grass it cuts to fuel itself or a food chopper that uses the peals for power? I would imagine as the technology matures it will become smaller and easier to integrate in to other devices. Will we see bio-waste steam powered cars in the future? Alternative fuel sources are in high demand now and it will be exciting to see where this leads to.
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