Bear robot rescues wounded troops
(BBC NEWS)
The US military is developing a robot with a teddy bear-style head
to help carry injured soldiers away from the battlefield.
The Battlefield Extraction Assist Robot (BEAR) can scoop up even
the heaviest of casualties and transport them over long distances
over rough terrain.
New Scientist magazine reports that the "friendly appearance" of
the robot is designed to put the wounded at ease.
It is expected to be ready for testing within five years.
While it is important to get medical attention for injured soldiers
as soon as possible, it is often difficult and dangerous for their
comrades to reach them and carry them back.
The 6ft tall Bear can cross bumpy ground without toppling thanks to
a combination of gyroscopes and computer controlled motors to
maintain balance.
BEAR FACTS
Robot carries dummy - annotated with details
1. Teddy bear face designed to be reassuring
2. Hydraulic upper body carries up to 227kgs (500lbs)
3. When kneeling tracked "legs" travel over rubble. Switches to
wheels on smooth surfaces
4. Dynamic Balance Behaviour (DBB) technology allows the robot to
stand and carry loads upright on its ankles, knees or hips for
nearly an hour
It is also narrow enough to squeeze through doorways, but can lift
135kg with its hydraulic arms in a single smooth movement, to avoid
causing pain to wounded soldiers.
While the existing prototype slides its arms under its burden like
a forklift, future versions will be fitted with manoeuvrable hands
to gently scoop up casualties.
The Bear is controlled remotely and has cameras and microphones
through which an operator sees and hears.
It can even tackle stairs while carrying a human-sized dummy.
Daniel Theobald, the president of Vecna Technologies, which is
developing the robot for the US Army, said: "We saw a need for a
robot that can essentially go where a human can. The robot will be
an integral part of a military team."
Gary Gilbert, from the US Army's Telemedicine and Advanced
Technology Research Centre in Frederick, Maryland, said that the
teddy bear appearance was deliberate.
"A really important thing when you're dealing with casualties is
trying to maintain that human touch."
Vecna is working on other potential applications for the robot
technology - including helping move heavy patients in
hospitals.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6729745.stm
