Fictional Continuum Robots

Continuous and bendable structures as well as continuum robots often appear in fiction. Science fiction books and movies are often a reflection of humankinds fears and desires for technological progress. Through the creation of future realities, science fiction sparks our imagination with out-of-this-world experiences. At the same time, it helps us to reflect on the effects of current and developing technologies.

In a series of blog posts, we will highlight occurences of continuum robots and leave the interpretation to the reader’s imagination and reflection.

The B-9 Environmental Control Robot is a Class M-3 General Utility Non-Theorizing Environmental Robot (G.U.N.T.E.R.) appearing in the television show Lost in Space (1965 to 1968). B-9’s features continuum arms.

Doctor Octopus is a fictional character appearing in the Marvel comics and motion pictures.He first appeared The Amazing Spicer-Man (1963) comic book. Doctor Octopus has four appendages resembling the tentacles of an octopus, which extend from the back of his body and are used for various purposes. Copyright: Spider-Man, Marvel Comics/Sony Pictures

Sentinel robots from the motion picture Matrix (1999). A sentinel has multiple clawed tentacles, like a squid, with sensors and moves by walking but also through air in the motion picture.

Spider robots with continuum legs in the motion picture Minority Report (2002) are used by the police to search and inspect.