Thanks to these qualities, the Osprey represents more than just an invaluableasset to the U.S. military first for the Marines and, in due course, for special operations, combat search and rescue and other applications.
But a new breed of life-saving robot is being developed that take their shape and movement from those limbless reptiles, and, it is hoped, will prove invaluable not only in search and rescue operations but also be a great asset to human surgery.