Appearing like something straight out of a sci-fi movie, this giant humanoid robot can lift up special equipment and carry out maintenance work on out-of-reach railway contact lines in Japan | Reuters

How do you build a robot that moves without joints? In this clip from a 1991 lecture on Japanese robotics, Dr. Red Whittaker explains the mechanics behind "flexible tube actuators." By varying air pressure within three internal chambers, these tubes could achieve high strength relative to their weight. The quad-screen demonstration highlights their versatility, showing how they could be combined in unique ways to handle delicate tasks or navigate confined spaces. | Computer History Museum