It is quite not like the
"Terminator", but it seems that it might become soon. It is Atlas -
the new 2 meter humanoid robot, developed
for use by teams in the DARPA Robotics
Challenges. Software-focused teams from Tracks B and C of the DARPA Robotics
Challenge (the competition started
in October last year) will get to use the physical robot to compete in
the first physical competition of the Challenge in December 2013 at the
Homestead-Miami Speedway.
This 130 kg machine is
considered as "one of the best
improved humanoid robots these days". It includes 28 hydraulically-actuated degrees of freedom, two hands, arms,
legs, feet and a torso.
The robot is developed by the Boston Dynamics
company, which created the anthropomorphic Petman and AlphaDog robot dog. The
previous models were designed primarily for military purposes, but the new Atlas will be
given to the "civilian" experts for programming and testing.
ATLAS is a high mobility robot
designed to negotiate outdoor, rough terrain. The robot 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 feet and hands, to pick its way through congested spaces. Sensing hands will enable Atlas to use tools
designed for human use. An articulated sensor head includes stereo cameras and
a laser range finder.
This version of ATLAS is powered from an off-board, electric power supply via a flexible tether, which will be allowed for in the competition, but will eventually need to be dealt with for the robot to operate independently in actual emergency situations. The ultimate goal is
to create a humanoid robot that operates under severe accidents, such as the
accident at the nuclear plant in Fukushima. Part of this contest is to write
software for humanoid Atlas.
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