BigDog’s big brother humanoid to assist the US Military
Assistance androids have had their share of fame, and it is definitely time for the humanoids to take over. Robots that can sense and behave like humans are the next form of robotic evolution, and although the quest is tough, the humanoids should be the ultimate form of androids. Even the military has understood the importance of such humanoids. The military is a developing a humanoid, Petman, which will test chemical protection clothing for the US Army. Boston Dynamics, famous for its robotic pack mule BigDog, has the responsibility of developing Petman to a level where it can not just walk and stand on its own feet but can even react like humans.
When exposed to chemical war agents, the Petman would do a variety of suit-stressing movements by simulating human responses of temperature control, humidity and even sweating (when the need be) within the suit.
This would ascertain that the testing conditions are realistic, judging them by parameters similar for humans. The developers quip:
The Petman will be the first anthropomorphic robot that moves dynamically like a real person, with natural, agile movement.
They describe Petman as BigDog’s big brother and, it should be ready by 2011 with 13 months required for the design and 17 for the construction.
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Courtesy: Wired
