IRON, a robot unveiled by Chinese EV giant XPeng, moved so much like a human that the company had to release a video after its debut to prove that it's in fact a machine. | CNN

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