Wounded Troops Rescued by Robot Teddy Bear
US military is currently developing a robot to rescue wounded soldiers from battlefields, with capabilities to carry weight up to 500 pounds over rough terrain for long distances using a wireless interface. Eventually the BEAR (Battlefield Extraction Assist Robot) will have more and more autonomous behaviors, which will make it easier to control.
The BEAR is designed with a teddy bear style head for a ‘friendly appearance’ with intentions to put the wounded at ease and feel reassured. Awww. Actually, I’m not all that convinced in its teddy-style appearance, but its purpose is certainly praiseworthy.
Testing is expected to be ready within 5 years.
The BEAR will be able to save soldiers in difficult and dangerous situations to carry them back to safety in a timely manner to receive quick medical attention which would not be possible otherwise.
The 6ft tall Bear can cross bumpy ground without toppling due to a combination of gyroscopes and computer controlled motors to maintain balance, reports BBC News.
Narrow enough to squeeze through doorways, it can lift 300 pounds (135kg) with its hydraulic arms in a single smooth and careful movement to avoid causing pain to wounded soldiers. Its hydraulic upper body can carry up to 500 pounds (227kgs).
While the existing prototype slides its arms under its load like a forklift, future versions will be designed with maneuverable hands to gently scoop up casualties.
The Bear is controlled remotely and has cameras and microphones through which an operator sees and hears.
When kneeling, The BEAR’s tracked ‘legs’ can travel over rubble, and switch to wheels for smooth surfaces. It can even tackle stairs while carrying a human-sized dummy. Its Dynamic Balance Behavior (DBB) technology allows the robot to stand and carry loads upright on its ankles, knees or hips for up to an hour.
Daniel Theobald, president of Vecna Technologies, which is developing the robot for the US Army said, “We saw a need for a robot that can essentially go where a human can. The robot will be an integral part of a military team.”
Gary Gilbert, from the US Army’s Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Centre in Frederick, Maryland, said that the teddy bear appearance was deliberate.
“A really important thing when you’re dealing with casualties is trying to maintain that human touch.”
Whether on battlefield, in a nuclear reactor core, near a toxic chemical spill, or inside a structurally unsafe building after an earthquake, the BEAR can rescue those in need as well as or better than humans can, without risking additional human life.
The BEAR is versatile enough to be able to do multiple combat support tasks such as loading vehicles or carrying heavy equipment, making it more attractive than other robots that can only support a limited set of specialized tasks, said the US Army.
Vecna is working on additional potential applications for the robot technology, including assistance to move heavy patients in hospitals and for homecare.
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Hey Deborah;
Something about sending live troops into the battlefield but yet having these robot units around to go in to scoop them off the field just seems plain wrong to me. I suppose though they wouldn’t want to risk millions of dollars letting these things do the actual fighting!
It’s a strange world we live in.
P.S. You’re doing rather well in the Blogging to Fame contest. Nice to see!
Take care;
Anna
Hi Anna,
I find many things they’re doing with robots recently rather eerie. But the thing of this is actually beneficial for the soldiers. They’re using the robots to rescue them, whereas they wouldn’t be able to save them if they had to take a large risk for additional loss of human life to do so in a timely manner to save their lives. Regular citizens such as ourselves can’t even begin to fathom what it’s like for them under those conditions.
But I hear what you’re saying about sending troops in to begin with.
Thanks, it’s been an uphill climb on BTF, but I’m very fortunate to be where I’m at right now, thanks to votes such as yours, which I really appreciate.
Funny, I was just thinking about you today! Glad you stopped by
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