Is it possible to move the ball to the opposite end of the string
(but on the same side of the wooden object) without cutting the
string or undoing any knots?
Yes it is possible, but it is not easy to do and it is hard to
imagine
the process without being able to manipulate the puzzle.
(Why?)
Now look at the next two pictures.
Is it possible to remove the blue bolt without cutting
the string or
undoing any knots or unscrewing the nut from the bolt?
Yes it is possible.
Moreover it is very easy to do and it is very easy to
imagine
the process without being able to manipulate the bolt or string.
(Why?)
When will it be possible for a robot even to TRY to do these things?
See also http://www.cs.bham.ac.uk/research/projects/cosy/photos/crane/
Maintained by
Aaron Sloman
School of Computer Science
The University of Birmingham