http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Robot-Snake-Israel-Defence-Forces-Design-Snake-To-Plant-Bombs-And-Spy-On-Enemies/Article/200906215301177?lpos=World_News_Second_Strange_News__Article_Teaser_Region__0&lid=ARTICLE_15301177_Robot_Snake%3A_Israel_Defence_Forces_Design_Snake_To_Plant_Bombs_And_Spy_On_Enemies_The Israeli military has reportedly designed a robotic snake which can spy on enemies and plant bombs.
The robotic snake can even stand up vertically to peer over obstacles
The remote-controlled reptile is able to sneak through cracks in buildings to gather information on enemy combatants, according to Israel's Channel 2 TV.
It can even stretch its neck up vertically to peek over obstacles in its way.
Researchers studied the movements of snakes to ensure that the robotic equivalent mimics them correctly.
A soldier controls the snake from a remote laptop and can follow what it sees via video cameras.
Footage posted online shows the six-foot long snake in camouflage gear, winding its way through rocks and tree stumps.
The video is getting thousands of hits on YouTube after a user called "Korozzz" posted it.
The Israel Defence Forces plan to equip combat units with the models, which could also be used to find survivors trapped in collapsed buildings.
The TV report said the snake is in the experimental stage and the cost of producing multiple versions is as yet unknown.
Researchers at Israel's Ben-Gurion University inspired the design after undertaking a robotic animals project.
The university not only developed a robotic snake but also a cat and a "dog-droid" - which can respond to human movements.
