Robotic Technology is developing a robot called EATR, which stands for Energetically Autonomous Tactical Robot. It's more than just an acronym. The machine will be able to go on long range and long distance missions and refuel itself by foraging and consuming "biomass" as well as conventional fuels. This biomass could theoretically include dead bodies.
Link to story. Link to website. -Thanks, Brother Bill!
That "biomass" and "other organically-based energy sources" wouldn't necessarily be limited to plant material — animal and human corpses contain plenty of energy, and they'd be plentiful in a war zone.
EATR will be powered by the Waste Heat Engine developed by Cyclone Power Technology of Pompano Beach, Fla., which uses an "external combustion chamber" burning up fuel to heat up water in a closed loop, generating electricity.
The advantages to the military are that the robot would be extremely flexible in fuel sources and could roam on its own for months, even years, without having to be refueled or serviced.
Link to story. Link to website. -Thanks, Brother Bill!
Comments (15)
Bolo
Look it up, Author, Keith Laumer
Apparently, we taste like bacon.
I swear, it's like these people have never seen any science fiction film. They could have at least watched Terminator 3 a few years back.
I think they should be able to... I think the thing about "biomass" is that you'd have to be decomposing first before it can harvest the energy. An unconscious injured soldier isn't decomposing enough for it to harvest any energy.
They claim it is strictly a vegetarian robot.
They're pullin' our chains. haha