Posted on 10/13/2006 10:51:06 AM PDT by Teflonic
Soldiers may no longer have to call for a medic on the battlefield – thanks to a robot which can pick up the wounded and carry them to safety.
The remote-controlled android, dubbed the Battlefield Extraction and Retrieval Robot (Bear), has a range of up to 50m.
Defence experts say it is the most promising solution yet to the 'holy grail' of being able to send robots into war zones to rescue wounded.
The US army is backing the project by handing designer Vecna Robotics funding for the robot – each one costs more than £50,000.
The Bear could also be a potential lifesaver for firefighters, who could use it to save someone trapped in a burning building. It could be used to lift and transfer hospital patients who have trouble moving.
The Bear incorporates three breakthrough technologies.
It has a powerful upper body, controlled by hydraulics, two independent sets of legs and 20 joints.
It also uses 'dynamic balancing behaviour' which lets it balance and remain upright while on the balls of its ankles, knees, or even its hips. The droid can carry weights up to 220kg (35st).
Jonathan Klein, a spokesman for Vecna, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, said: 'This robot has applications to the battlefield, home security and civilian search and rescue. It can travel most places a human can.
'It is also capable of dealing with difficult or rocky terrain, as well as over rubble, through woodland and down narrow paths.
'Unlike humans, however, the Bear can travel while kneeling – even while practically lying down with a human casualty in its arms.
'This would be extremely useful when avoiding enemy fire in tall grass, for example.'
Aprototype successfully carried a human dummy for more than 50 minutes.
The real version will be able to operate for up to six hours at a time. The Bear is due to be released in 2008.
Another milestone on the way to totally mechanical infantry units capable to taking and holding territory.
Run for the hills! It is the first Cylon!!
Yeah I can see a day when armies are made up of mechanical infantry units controlled by gamers sitting at home in their pjs.
Who wrote that headline? It says robot bear, which makes one think of a giant teddy bear walking around picking up wounded soldiers. I mean, the visual is cute and all, and maybe the giant teddy bear will shield soldiers with its massive fur-covered body. But the story says they are using the acronym BEAR Robot. There is absolutely no similarity to any bear, either real or teddy. I withhold further comment, although it is difficult.
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Yeah I can see a day when armies are made up of mechanical infantry units controlled by gamers sitting at home in their pjs
So, does this bear go in the woods?
The remote-controlled android, dubbed the Battlefield Extraction and Retrieval Robot (Bear), has a range of up to 50m.
Other than that, it is indeed poorly written and does lead one to imagine a mechanical Panda with a Red Cross on it.
It reminds me of a prototype of Shardik, from Stephen King's Dark Tower books (and more distantly from Richard Adams' novel). A VERY distant prototype.
Yeah, but can it fight forest fires?
It would be really cool of the manufacturer would put one of those scrolling red LED lights on the front, just for kicks.
Gonna need to be bulletproof.
I can see a day when bouncers are totally automated...
Barfly emergency ejection robot (BEER)
My picnic basket!
They need to add a nano blood-sealant dispenser to this baby, too.
Michael Moore on a battleground? Please. We are dealing with reality here.
On the other hand, in the realm of fantasy: Scan complete. Subject identified as Michael Moore. Initiating subroutine 1a273b. Remove subjects head. Insert up subject's anus.
Not to be a skeptic but the idea of this thing carrying a wounded soldier any distance over uneven terrain looks very dubious. I could see a lot of guys getting dropped on their heads or being dragged by a limb and doing more harm than good.
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