SF Gate says that Stanford Researchers are trying to build robots that mimic the scampering of cockroaches using roach-like legs They say that robots with roach legs can get around better, are more stable, more mobile, and are less likely to get stuck than robots with wheels. Robots with wheels generally need a flat smooth surface but a robot with roach legs can scurry, jump, climb, and go many places that robots with wheels can't. Their robot, affectionately named Sprawlita, uses tiny pneumatics and an air tether to push it's wee little hexapod legs to allow it to walk. Sprawlita currently uses a Basic Stamp brain to help it to be autonomous. Of course everyone from Nasa to the Army, etc. are interested in them.

Other news to step through: Stanford News, Again Stanford News, Emily's Journal, Business Journal, CNN.

Other fun roach stuff: Have a roach for a pet! , Here's the old roboroach with the camera on his back controlled by electric shock stimuli!