Robotic snakes demonstrate versatility by performing tango

It can slither, it can perch, it can climb – and now it can dance too.

The “snakebot”, a cutting edge robot built by Carnegie Mellon’s Robotics Institute, has been captured on camera performing an undulating tango with a partner.

The synchronised dance demonstrates the institute’s ongoing goal of creating adaptable, multipurpose robots.

“In a sense, we’re demonstrating the ability to program and reprogram robots,” Associate Professor Howie Choset told Gizmodo.

“This way, the engineers can focus on generating a capability.”

The snakebot has been designed to be easily reprogramed but is also comprised of various modules.

These modules – which range from hinges to wheels, feet to treads, cameras to claws – may be reconfigured at will.

Professor Choset and his team hope that this modular design will one day allow users to redesign the robot according to changing requirements.

“We believe the future of this modularity lies in manufacturing,” he said.

“We’re going to make a robot that’s cheaper and easier to use but also easier to program and operate.”