Feedback Form
   
Add to Google
Battlefield Extraction-Assist Robot Battlefield Extraction-Assist Robot
Tuesday, May 15, 2007 - Iddo Genuth
Home >> Picture Of The Day >> Defense and Security
  Peralink
Battlefield Extraction-Assist Robot
Related Pictures
Orion HALL UAV
MAARS Has a License to Kill
The Massachusetts based company Vecna Robotics is developing an ambitious plan to create a humanoid robot capable of extracting wounded soldiers from danger zones such as battlefields, nuclear and chemical contaminated areas and collapsed buildings. If all goes well, the robot which was developed for the US Army will be ready to extract a soldier including his or her equipment out of harms' way by the early 2010's.

The Battlefield Extraction-Assist Robot (BEAR), currently under development by Vecna, is capable of crossing bumpy ground thanks to a combination of gyroscopes and computer-controlled motors that help it to maintain its balance much like a Segway vehicle.  

The BEAR is currently in proof-of-concept development stage. A prototype of the BEAR robot was built and outfitted with a powerful torso and arms, along with a dynamic balancing system on two wheels. The robot prototype has demonstrated picking up a fully-weighted human dummy, and carrying the dummy around in its arms while dynamically balanced in an upright position for over 50 minutes without break. The BEAR underwent several prototype versions - the 2006 model was able to lift weight in excess of 360 pounds (163kg), while the more recent version is capable of lifting 260 pounds (117kg) in one arm alone.     

The BEAR joins a growing number of robotic projects currently under development for the U.S. army which are intended to assist troops in the battlefield in various missions including long range reconnaissance, carrying of heavy payloads and medical evacuation. TFOT recently covered the BigDog four legged robotic mule under development by Boston Dynamics, Carnegie Mellon University's 6.5-ton "Crusher" Unmanned Ground Combat Vehicle (UGCV) and the Giant Spider Bot concept developed by designer Marcos Nolan from the University of Washington. 

More information on the BEAR can be found on Vecna Robotics website

Image: BEAR prototype carrying a dummy (Credit: Vecna Robotics).

Other Articles CES 2008 Innovations Coverage CES 2008 Innovations Coverage Artigo – VIA’s DIY Micro-PC Artigo – VIA’s DIY Micro-PC

Related News 360-Degrees Panoramic System for the 'Big Boys' 360-Degrees Panoramic System for the 'Big Boys' Killer Kevlar: Clothing That Shields From Germs Killer Kevlar: Clothing That Shields From Germs

Other Columns On Lobotomy and Phantom Limbs On Lobotomy and Phantom Limbs Who Invented the Digital Computer? Who Invented the Digital Computer?



No comments have been posted for this item.

Add a New Comment
Your name:   0/20
Subject:  0/30
Your Comment:  0/999
Type the following letters: Visual CAPTCHA
Please keep your comments related to the above item's topic. TFOT reserves the right to delete any unrelated comment without notice.

Picture Of The Day
Floating Jelly Hat
Floating Jelly Hat

Video
Paralysed Rats Sprint
Paralysed Rats Sprint

Site Of The Week
Galaxy Zoo
Galaxy Zoo

Personal Column
Detroit’s Dream of Aircraft Production
Dr. Daniel Uziel
Detroit’s Dream of Aircraft Production
Terms Of Use | Privacy Policy | Contact Us | Advertise With Us | Site Profile
Copyright © 2007 The Future of Things. All rights reserved.