What M-TRAN lacks in animatronic magic, it makes up for with flexible design. The modules can rearrange themselves into countless different shapes and create dramatically different patterns of movement. M-TRAN can configure itself to look like those relentless Imperial Walker transport vehicles from the Star Wars films, marching steadily on four legs. But it can just as readily shape-shift into a long string of modules, allowing it to inch along like a caterpillar or slither across the floor like a snake. Alternatively, it can pull itself into a wheel and roll or creep along the ground with its legs splayed out like a spider’s.
http://discovermagazine.com/2005/apr/emerging-technology

M-Tran website