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Via of Northfield, Minnesota, is patenting a wearable computer that doubles
as a snake-like robot (WO 00/10073). The computer, battery pack and modem are
strung out along a hinged belt, and the hinges are powered to allow the belt to
contort into S-shaped waves that let it move along the ground. The computer
snake can be thrown into inaccessible locations, shine a light, carry out a
security patrol routine, ride on another object, stand on its end to gain height
advantage, find a power point and plug itself in to recharge, or “connect with
at least one other robot”,…