Petman - The AtlasProto
This is Petman...the future soldier.
This is an anthropomorphic robot developed by Boston Dynamics with funding from DARPA.
A new development to the robot allows it to navigate increasingly more difficult terrain...
Petman not only has the ability to walk, run, and even regain stability after being pushed, but can also climb stairs with speed and balance.
This marvel of technological development no doubt has Asimo developers at Honda in an uproar.
Asimo was the first robot to climb stairs unassisted. But it took the slow hunk of metal ten or more minutes to climb a small flight of stairs. Boston Dynamics' Petman hurdles itself up a flight of stairs in seconds. And when it's balance is compromised it's advanced balancing system will recalculate it's movements in real-time to adjust to the change in stability.
Boston Dynamics is very well known for developing dynamic robots: machines that, rather than using static tecniques to control their motion, move dynamically, relying on advanced control software and high performance hydraulic actuators.
An all new version of Boston Dynamics' Petman is tackling all sorts of new obstacles.
Boston Dynamics' AtlasProto humanoid robot exhibits uncannily human-like movement as it negotiates obstacles in this demo video below. The robot is a prototype of Atlas, an experimental rescue robot that will compete in next year's DARPA Robotics Challenge. The challenge will place Atlas and other competing robot designs in simulated disaster scenarios where they will be tasked with a variety of disaster response missions.
The final design goal of Atlas is a high mobility, humanoid robot designed to negotiate outdoor, rough terrain. Atlas can walk bipedally leaving the upper limbs free to lift, carry, and manipulate the environment. In extremely challenging terrain, Atlas is strong and coordinated enough to climb using hands and feet, to pick its way through congested spaces. Articulated, sensate hands will enable Atlas to use tools designed for human use. Atlas includes 28 hydraulically-actuated degrees of freedom. An articulated sensor head includes stereo cameras and a laser range finder. Atlas is powered from an off-board, electric power supply via a flexible tether. And will look something like the picture below...
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