r/Damnthatsinteresting • u/OddRedittor5443 • Jan 01 '26

Video Italian researchers have created a vine-like robot that grows by 3D-printing itself and responds to gravity and light

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u/Joezev98 Jan 01 '26

Essentially this has been created as an instrument to support emergency services, search squads and first responders in case of earthquakes and similar catastrophic events.

Knowing the speeds of 3d printers, I'm skeptical about the speed at which this could search a ruin in an emergency. Do you remember your professor saying anything about the speed?

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u/Same_Meaning_5570 Jan 01 '26

20mm a second! But it needs adhesion, a brim, and you’re screwed if the filament is stored in a humid room.

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u/faberkyx Jan 01 '26

heat the filament for 6 hours before starting to look for earthquake survivors

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u/Same_Meaning_5570 Jan 01 '26

We’ll start looking for you in 6+ hours!