The EATR was programmed to consume certain types of vegetation as biomass to convert into fuel, and only those types of vegetation. EATR could also use other fuels such as gasoline, kerosene, cooking oil, or solar energy.

Cyclone Power Technologies stated that animal or human biomass was not intended to be used in the waste heat combustion engine of the robot,[4] and that sensors would be able to distinguish foraged materials,[2] although the project overview from RTI listed other sources including chicken fat.[5]

Also, this is from 2009.

[–] TRSea@lemmy.ml 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

UNfortunately?! ... But seriously, thanks for the fact check, I was wondering.

[–] insomniac_lemon@kbin.social 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

UNfortunately?!

Aside from the US military (or military scavenging in general), if I could sacrifice myself to power a robot (better than lawn clippings could) I might. I don't think it'd be unlikely that there's a scenario where said robots would be doing something right (some point/goal) if they're autonomous (in the governmental sense).

I mean I'd rather have my brain hooked up to something, but I guess that doesn't help with wattage requirement.

[–] TRSea@lemmy.ml 0 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Haha, that is hilarious. But I think there is enough other biomass on this planet that you shouldnt feel like you have to sacrifice yourself to feed even the good robots

[–] insomniac_lemon@kbin.social 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Sure, never said it was a healthy thought. But it's like an equivalent exchange type thing, less like putting a log on a fire and more like a few tanks of energy-dense fuel (not that it actually could work like that).

[–] lvl100magikarp@lemmy.ml 2 points 1 year ago

And I assume the image is an unrelated demonstrating a rescue operation