The Real WALL-E’s

Written by on July 1, 2008

Maybe the new Pixar movie Wall-E isn’t that crazy of an idea. This children’s movie carriers a message to be environmentally aware, from the point of view of a robot used to help condense the trash on planet Earth. So let’s take a look at some robots that are truly helping clean up Earth.
 
 

FOLDTRACK:
 
 

The Foldtrack is able to travel through foot-wide pipes in the roofs of nuclear sites. Once inside the buildings it transforms into a pressure washer (3,000 psi from up to 20ft away), and the uses a dozer blade to push the waste into safe, double-shelled tanks. This $500,000 robot will be stuck inside the empty tank once it is finished.
 

SALT MANTIS:
 

The Salt Mantis has a similar job to the Foldtrack. The Salt Mantis shoots water up 35,000 psi to blast toxic salts off the inside of nuclear waste tanks. The water comes for a tiny orifice made of gems such as sapphires.
 

POSSUM:
 

The possum takes the guess work out of determining radioactive areas are clean. In the past human cleaners would have to guess, but Possum rolls over, scoops up samples, and takes some test. Sounds like a worth while robot to me.
 

TANK CRAWLER:
 

The Tank Crawler works with magnetic feet to observe the walls for cracks or corrosion. Each foot can demagnetize to step, and remagnetize to stick to the wall. Tank Crawler uses its ultrasonic and electrical conductivity sensors. The Tank Crawler has brought back good news lately, finding no seriously damaged walls.