Boston Dynamics makers of BigDog, i.e., the coolest robot ever made, are in the process of building a dynamically balanced humanoid. PETMAN is their new 2-legged robot sponsored by the US Army for the purpose of testing chemical protection clothing for the soldiers.
Boston Dynamics has not released much information about PETMAN other than that the project has 2 phases : phase 1 has a 13-month duration focused on design and phase 2 has a 17-month duration for building, validating and installing the robot. The company expects to deliver the robot in 2011.
If you care to know how impressive PETMAN truly is, check out the video below released by the company. It shows the humanoid robot walking on a treadmill using principles similar to how a human walks; it also maintains balance when large external forces are applied to it. If it was me, I would not anger this one by pushing it. It makes Toyota's running humanoid look like a toy. For what it's worth, however, it doesn't look like PETMAN can actually turn but maybe this is one upgrade the US Army hasn't paid for yet.
Some more information on PETMAN by Boston Dynamics can be found here.
Geen opmerkingen:
Een reactie posten