Scientists Developing Robots That Can "Feed" on Corpses

Sounds like a horror movie, but a company is working on steam-powered robot for the Pentagon, which will refuel itself with biomass, which could, in a war zone, include corpses.

Note the word "could." Not necessarily "will."

Robotic Technology Inc.'s robot is named "EATR," which stands for Energetically Autonomous Tactical Robot. If nothing else, the company has a sense of humor.

The company's website describes the project:

The purpose of the Energetically Autonomous Tactical Robot (EATR) (patent pending) project is to develop and demonstrate an autonomous robotic platform able to perform long-range, long-endurance missions without the need for manual or conventional re-fueling, which would otherwise preclude the ability of the robot to perform such missions. The system obtains its energy by foraging – engaging in biologically-inspired, organism-like, energy-harvesting behavior which is the equivalent of eating. It can find, ingest, and extract energy from biomass in the environment (and other organically-based energy sources), as well as use conventional and alternative fuels (such as gasoline, heavy fuel, kerosene, diesel, propane, coal, cooking oil, and solar) when suitable.

As reports note, however,

That "biomass" and "other organically-based energy sources" wouldn't necessarily be limited to plant material — animal and human corpses contain plenty of energy, and they'd be plentiful in a war zone.

Now, while this is an innovative way to fuel the thing, if we were in an all-out war, I might think this would be considered desecration by any enemy forces.

I would, of course, assume it would prioritize based on availability, and might suck up stuff like gasoline first. According to the company, about 150 pounds of vegetation could provide energy to drive 100 miles. The research is sponsored by DARPA.