Cool Research Uses (Score 1)

I think this bit of research is particularly facinating to anyone interested in archeology or related sciences. I remember a series on PBS about the Egyptian pyramids; For years archeaologists were prevented from exploring their inner structures due to the tiny access shafts into the main chamber. The only in was to squeeze someone into a 3 foot by 3 foot passage (several hundred meters in length) . Improvements in robotics allowed them to roll a macro-version of this type of robot into the chamber with a camera. Now, if they ARE able to efficiently add a camera to this little device, think of the academic and exploratory possibilities. A waterproof bot could travel to the ocean floor to identify under-the surface micro-organisms. Space-bound bots could land on adverse planets to explore inside the cracks in rocks and hardened soil, etc etc. Though maybe not practical for the everyday person, (I don't think you'll ever see something like this walking your dog or bringing you beer)improvements on this kind of robot could lead to astounding scientific discoveries. That should be exciting to all of you research-heads out there.