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Monday, April 20, 2009
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Boston Dynamics Inc., maker of the YouTube sensation BigDog robot, reports it is developing two robots: A humanoid robot to test soldier uniforms and a hopping robot for navigating urban environments.
The humanoid robot, PETMAN (protection ensemble test mannequin), is planned to be used for high-fidelity testing of chemical protection suits under chemical warfare agent exposure conditions. The robot is intended to balance itself and walk, aim, crawl and perform suit-stressing calisthenics. The robot will also mimic human physiology within the protective suit, simulating the act of sweating, for example.
The PETMAN robot is a $26.3 million U.S. Army project. Boston Dynamics is working with the Midwest Research Institute, Measurement Technology Northwest, Smith Carter USA and HHI Corp. on the robot, which is expected to be delivered in the second quarter of 2011.
The Waltham robotics company also reports it has landed a deal from the Sandia National Laboratories to develop the Precision Urban Hopper, a four-wheeled robot with one leg to facilitate jumping over obstacles. The robot is intended to navigate autonomously and jump 25 feet in the air.
Development of the robot is funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. Financial terms of the deal were not released.
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