Disaster zone robot competition announced by Pentagon

Darpa ^ | 10 April 2012 | bbc co

[Razzz42]

A competition to develop next-generation robots capable of saving lives in disaster zones has been unveiled by the Pentagon's advanced research laboratory.

Darpa says it wants "adaptable robots with the ability to use human tools - from hand tools to vehicles".

It plans to hold a series of emergency response physical challenges.

A $2m (£1.3m) prize is being offered to the team with the best technology. The competition begins in October.

The agency says it hopes software engineers, video game developers and other experts from fields outside robotics will take part "to increase the diversity of innovative solutions". Radiation-resistant

[Razzz42]

http://www.darpa.mil/NewsEvents/Releases/2012/04/10.aspx

Entering your wife if she just goes through the motions, doesn’t qualify as robotic or humanoid even if she is shielded against certain penetrations.

[Viking2002]

My wife qualifies as all three. Can I just accept the prize money now?

"As democracy is perfected, the office represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. We move toward a lofty ideal. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their hearts desire at last, and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron."

--H.L. Mencken, The Baltimore Evening Sun, July 26, 1920

[JRandomFreeper]

Meh... the spec says "Ability to use human tools" and doesn't say anything about humanoid. My first thought with the vehicle thing was "How do you coordinate the actions of a bunch of rat-sized robots to drive a car?... Hmmmm."

This should be a good competition. Darpa has produced more bang for the buck than any other federal program. And on top of that, they have a legitimate Constitutional raison de etre.

/johnny