Video: Army’s Robot-Man Walks Like the Real Thing

[The Straight Story]

Danger Room What’s Next in National Security
Video: Army’s Robot-Man Walks Like the Real Thing

The makers of the eerily lifelike robotic mule have a new creation: a machine that walks around like a real human being. Boston Dynamics is building the “Petman” prototype for the U.S. Army, to test out protective clothing.

“Petman will balance itself and move freely; walking, crawling and doing a variety of suit-stressing calisthenics during exposure to chemical warfare agents,” the company promises. “Petman will also simulate human physiology within the protective suit by controlling temperature, humidity and sweating when necessary, all to provide realistic test conditions. ”

Like Boston Dynamics’ BigDog robo-mule, Petman stays upright, even when it’s shoved. And the thing walks heel-to-toe at 3.2 miles per hour, just like a flesh-and-blood person. Petman may be just one of a number of attempts by robot-makers to build a simulated set of biped legs. But I haven’t seen one that gets closer to the real deal.

http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2009/10/video-armys-robot-man-walks-like-the-real-thing/

(Video at link above)

And why not Robot Person? How do they know it is a man? Does it have a robot weenie? :)

[Craftsman]

1. One more step closer to the droid army

Roger roger.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

2. Please tell me

it doesn't have an Austrian accent!!!!


:scared:




.

[old mark]

8. Not yet........

No ass, either.


mark

[sakabatou]

3. We welcome our Skynet overlords!

[The Straight Story]

5. I'd trust a robot over a politician or CEO most any day

:)

[Robb]

4. Well.

That's the most terrifying thing I've ever seen. :D

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

6. Can we give them to the Taliban and their vs our robots fight the wars?

Preferably in some place desolate like Afghanistan or Texas?

[clear eye]

7. Mightn't it be used to draw out sniper fire from guerillas

instead of using real live soldiers as bait, as we're doing now?

[Blue_Tires]

9. hell, who hasn't wanted a C-3PO sidekick to give dry banter during adventures?

[old mark]

10. I like his shoes. I have never seen a robot wearing shoes before.

I wonder who chose them for him.

mark