For the gardener who has everything, a slug eating robot

November 19, 2001 10:53 PM

For the gardener who has everything, a slug eating robot will seek and destroy those slimy gastropods destroying the garden. The only downside is having to admit the crappy beer you buy is for yourself and not for your slug traps!
posted by Dinzie (9 comments total)

This is extremely cool. Of course, they haven`t been able to pull slugs out of the ground yet, nor have they designed the fuel cell, which seems like a key step in the project (though they may be well along on that front).

While they are a long way from having the thing reproduce itself, the idea of a two part organism is intriguing, and also reminiscent of a beehive.

As a special bonus, no slugs were harmed in the testing of the slug-eating robot.

Thanks Dinzie
posted by chiheisen at 12:22 AM on November 20, 2001

"While they are a long way from having the thing reproduce itself, the idea of a two part organism is intriguing..."

I give them two weeks before they start self-replicating and turn into Screamers
posted by lucien at 5:22 AM on November 20, 2001

Someday, it will be safe to venture out barefoot in Seattle.
posted by Carol Anne at 5:27 AM on November 20, 2001

Wonder if they'll develop a snailbot? I've got a nice herd of Florida Yard Conch they're welcome to test it on. My arm's getting sore from throwing them out on the road.
posted by groundhog at 5:56 AM on November 20, 2001

yeah, don't all start complaining when the soil quality of your gardens goes down because there's no healthy mini ecosystem happening anymore.
posted by kv at 6:36 AM on November 20, 2001

In my parents' basement there remains a sixpack of Bud purchased at least 5 years ago but never employed for its intended purpose. (In another 5 years it'll probably be strong enough to kill a horse.)
posted by mattpfeff at 6:40 AM on November 20, 2001

kv, the snail I was referring to in my previous post is a non-native species that has no predators, breeds without restraint and eats (and poops) like a pig. I leave the native snails alone.
posted by groundhog at 10:32 AM on November 20, 2001

whew. ok.
posted by kv at 7:11 PM on November 20, 2001

Hard to believe there isn't a heavy metal band somewhere named SlugBot.
posted by LeLiLo at 10:04 PM on November 22, 2001