A REAL Transformer: The human-sized robot 'chimp' that can walk, climb walls and even move like a TANK
Carnegie Mellon University Highly Intelligent Mobile Platform, or CHIMP, is designed to move like a tank using tracks to cover tough terrain
- If terrain is too tough, it can simply stand up - and even use built in 'claws' to climbs ladders, scale buildings and even hold a car's steering wheel
Researchers have unveiled the nearest thing yet to a real-life transformer - a human sized robot that can walk, climb walls and even turn into a tank to move across tough terrain.
The Carnegie Mellon University Highly Intelligent Mobile Platform, or CHIMP, is designed to primarily move like a tank using tracks to cover tough terrain.
However, when it needs to, it can simply stand up - and even use built in 'claws' to climbs ladders, scale buildings and even hold a car's steering wheel.
The latest entrant to DARPA's $2m Robotics Challenge is a four-limbed robot with near-human strength and the dexterity to climb ladders or use tools
WHAT IT CAN DO
Like a chimpanzee, each extremity is equipped with a manipulator that enables it to grasp objects
Its developer say it can:
Move across tough terrain like a tank
Stand up to access higher objects
Climb walls using 'claws'
Climbs ladders
Use claws to operate power tools
Open valves and control steering wheels
Its normal mode of locomotion will be much like that of a tank, with the tracks of all four limbs on the ground, the team says.
This configuration would offer a particular advantage when moving over debris and rough terrain.
But CHIMP also can move on the treads of just two limbs when needed, such as when it must use one or more limbs to open a valve, or to operate power tools.
CHIMP will be able to perform complex, physically challenging tasks through supervised autonomy.
A remote, human operator will make high-level commands controlling the robot’s path and actions, while the robot’s on-board intelligence prevents collisions, maintains stability and otherwise keeps the robot from harm.
The robot also will be pre-programmed to execute tasks such as grasping a tool, stepping on a ladder rung or turning a steering wheel without step-by-step direction from the human controller, circumventing the lag between command and execution.
'Humans provide high-level control, while the robot provides low-level reflexes and self-protective behaviors,' said Tony Stentz, NREC director and Tartan Rescue Team leader.
'This enables CHIMP to be highly capable without the complexity associated with a fully autonomous robot.
The CMU Highly Intelligent Mobile Platform (CHIMP) from Carnegie Mellon University uses mounted tracks on each triple-jointed limb to move like a tank over roads
As well as tracks, the Chimp robot has triple-fingered manipulators to climb up ladders, remove debris, or even turn a steering wheel
'This type of robot has tremendous potential,' he said.
The robot will compete in the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s (DARPA) Robotics Challenge, in which robots will have human-like capabilities to respond to calamities such as the 2011 Fukushima nuclear plant disaster.
Climbing ladders and driving vehicles are among the obstacles robots will face in environments engineered for people.
The NREC entry, Tartan Rescue Team, is one of seven selected by DARPA for DRC Track A, in which each team will develop its own hardware and software.
CHIMP is designed with static stability; it won’t fall down even if it experiences a computer glitch or power failure.
'When we walk or stand, our brains are actively controlling our balance all of the time,' Stentz said.
'This dynamic balance makes people nimble and enables them to run.'
When necessary, however, the operator can control CHIMP’s individual joints, enabling it to adapt its motion to particular circumstances or extricate itself from tight spots.
'In a pinch, it can do anything,' Stentz said.
The robot can move like a tank over roads and rough ground, but can rise up onto two tracks to use the triple-fingered manipulators to climb up ladders, remove debris, or even turn a steering wheel
