However, while it may be another ten years before snake robots are consistently used in search and rescue operations or in medical situations, Choset believes they will one day be hugely valuable devices.

CNN: Snake robots slither to the rescue

Compared to existing robotic devices and traditional means of search and rescue using sniffer dogs, snake robots are packed with sensors and can use their unique shape and delicate movement to crawl over rubble and bend around obstacles.

CNN: Snake robots slither to the rescue

They are the modern day evolution of the gamblers, harlots, snake oil salesmen and con artists who followed the pioneers who settled the American west or the risk takers who search for gold in the hills.

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