The Canadian Press: Laser-powered robot climbs into...
Rated • 1 review • space exploration, energy industry, robotics, science, technology • google.com
"A robot powered by a ground-based laser beam climbed a long cable dangling from a helicopter on Wednesday to qualify for prize money in a $2 million competition to test the potential reality of the science fiction concept of space elevators... LaserMotive's two principals, Jordin Kare and Thomas Nugent, said they were relieved after two years of work. They said their real goal is to develop a business based on the idea of beaming power, not the futuristic idea of accessing space via an elevator climbing a cable. "We both are pretty skeptical of its near-term prospects," Kare said of an elevator. The contest, however, demonstrates that beaming power works, Nugent said. "Anybody who needs power in one place and can't run wires to it - we'd be able to deliver power," Kare said."
