Magnetic Robots That Sneak Aboard Ships

The above picture shows a new version of Throwbots — small tactical robots that can be thrown into a building and are designed to land right-side up. Developed by ReconRobotics under a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Navy’s Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific, this new version of the robots can climb up and over the side of a ship, aiding in anti-pirate operations.

The wheels of the robot are magnetized, which is what allows the adorable little spy to attach to and scale a ship’s hull. Of course, it’d be pretty difficult to throw the Throwbot from one boat to another while remaining undetected by the target, but the robot could be delivered via a submersible specifically designed for the task, which ReconRobotics is also under agreement to develop.

(via New Scientist)