Now, military robots that climb stairs and do push ups

London: The walking two-legged PETMAN military-crafted humanoid robot has now been advanced to do push ups and climb stairs, and quite possibly faster than many Americans can, while certainly not expressing their fatigue. The advancement is being funded by the US Department of Defense’s Advanced Research Project Agency.

“...PETMAN will balance itself and move freely; walking, crawling and doing a variety of suit-stressing calisthenics during exposure to chemical warfare agents,” the Daily Mail quoted its creator of Boston Dynamics as saying.

Its said purpose is for testing chemical protection clothing worn by the robot under realistic conditions, according to the engineering company’s website.

“The robot will have the shape and size of a standard human, making it the first anthropomorphic robot that moves dynamically like a real person,” they said.

It can also “simulate human physiology”, imitating a human sweating using temperature and humidity controls. Among Boston Dynamics’ previous known work is the four-legged BIGDOG robot, described as “the alpha male of the Boston Dynamics robots.”

In its astonishing videos, the robotic beast is shown capable of running, climbing, carrying heavy loads and withstanding heavy kicks and pushes to knock it over.

Its responding balance at such attempts makes it strikingly animal like, with its legs and knees quickly bending and moving to hold its composure.

“In separate tests BigDog runs at 4 mph, climbs slopes up to 35 degrees, walks across rubble, climbs a muddy hiking trail, walks in snow and water, and carries a 340 lb load. BigDog set a world``s record for legged vehicles by traveling 12.8 miles without stopping or refuelling,” Boston Dynamics said.

PETMAN follows a 13-month design phase as well as an additional 17-month building, installation and validation process prior to its presentation in 2011.
ANI