Virginia Tech's RoMeLa Answers DARPA Robotics Challenge With THOR 62
smackay writes "Virginia Tech's Robotics and Mechanisms Laboratory is building a humanoid robot designed for dangerous rescue missions as part of the new DARPA Robotics Challenge. Lab founder/director Dennis Hong calls it the 'greatest challenge of my career.' The robot's name: THOR"
From the article: "The task is massive: The adult-sized robot must be designed to enter a vehicle, drive it, and then exit the vehicle, walk over rubble, clear objects blocking a door, open the door, and enter a building. The robot then must visually and audibly locate and shut off a leaking valve, connect a hose or connector, climb an industrial ladder and traverse an industrial walkway. The final and possibly most difficult task: Use a power tool and break through a concrete wall. All these tasks must be accomplished under a set time limit."
Jobs Are At Risk!!! (Score:4, Funny)
If one of these things get built, American jobs are at risk! Stop them now! ... sort of...
Re:Jobs Are At Risk!!! (Score:2, Funny)
If the robot fails he can always break down on its knees and cream "Nooooo...I coulda been somebody. I coulda been a contender"
I demand Futurama-style melodramatic robots!
"...clear objects blocking a door, open it..." (Score:5, Funny)
Does the door have be closable after it has been "opened"? If not, that concrete-wall-breaking tool could come in handy.
Re:Easy! (Score:2, Funny)
You are sooooo busted Phineas!!!!
Can't work. (Score:5, Funny)
"Use a power tool and break through a concrete wall. All these tasks must be accomplished under a set time limit."
Under a set time limit? Not even a real, human contractor can do the latter, it's impossible.