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CHINESE scientists have developed a "shape-shifting" robot inspired by the Terminator films.
The machine uses a plastic wheel, small lithium battery and drops of liquid metal.
Its wheels work the liquid metal and changes its center of gravity, sparking a prediction robots will in future be fit for "rescue missions" that can change shape.
It also means robots would be able to get rid of small spaces rendered impossible by humans.
And experts have hailed the T-1000 mode from Terminator 2: Judgment Day as their inspiration.
Li Xiangpeng, a robotics professor at Soochow University in Suzhou, China, told South China Morning Post: "We were inspired by T-1000 from Terminator 2: Judgment Day.
"In the future, we expect to further develop soft robots incorporating liquid metal that could be used in special missions such as searching for and saving earthquake victims, since they can change shape
Scientist
"In the future, we expect to develop a new generation of robots that can be used in such missions as the Earthquake Victims, as they can change shape or size. into. "
His findings were published by the scientific journal Advanced Materials.
Tang Shiyang, a research fellow involved in the study, added, "We think liquid metal alloys could help with the development of self-reconfiguring robots that can change their own shape.
"Also, I've been thinking about flexible robots like T-1000 since I watched that movie when I was 10.
"Next step, we plan to use multiple wheels and make it move in a three-dimensional environment."
And what's more, Tang can see them in the market.
She added: "Maybe in 10 years, liquid metal robots will be a reality."
Reports also suggests the BB-8 robot from Star Wars, with a free-moving head, is being held as an inspiration for scientists.
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