Robotics researchers are always coming up with new and innovative automatons these days. Whether they are created to repair space stations so humans don’t have to risk their own lives, or like the dogbot that carries weapons for weary soldiers, now we have the Clothbot from the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Just exactly what purpose Clothbot was designed to serve still remains somewhat unclear, however you’ve got to admit the way it climbs up your clothes is kinda cool!

Weighing just 140 grams, Clothbot uses a wheeled gripping mechanism to generate wrinkles in your clothing and then makes its way straight up them. A little tail manages its center of gravity and allows it to change direction.

The Clothbot was presented at the International Conference on Robotics and Automation, in Minnesota this week. New Scientist said; “At the same conference last year we learnt of a clothes-folding robot – perhaps the two bots should team up.” Now that could be really useful indeed – maybe they could call it the Mary PoppinsBot and design it to carry out some other housekeeping chores…Well, I can dream can’t I?

Alternatively, you could superglue some furry spider legs to the Clothbot and then let them lose on people who are afraid of spiders in an automaton inspired version of arachnophobia – creepy!

Share and Enjoy