A Japan-developed robot for disaster response
November 23, 2012
Tetrapod robot (credit: Toshiba)
Toshiba has developed a remote-controlled tetrapod inspection robot with camera and dosimeter, designed to investigate risky areas, such as Fukushima nuclear power plants.
The multiple joints of its legs are controlled by a movement algorithm that enables the robot to walk on uneven surfaces (like Boston Dynamics’ Big Dog), avoid obstacles, and climb stairs to get access into areas can’t be reached by wheeled robots (such as some iRobot models) or crawlers.
It also carries a companion smaller robot with a second camera for constricted locations.
Toshiba plans to add the ability to install shielding, stop flows of water. and remove obstacles.
Comments (13)
by MechanicGuy
This robot looks so much like an imitation of the DARPA big dog.
I wonder how well it performs outdoor? Can it balance itself on ice?
by Editor
More like Big Puppy :)
by penticton
Title: Japan’s new nuclear-proof robot gets stage fright
Source: Reuters
Authors: Reporting by Mari Saito; Editing by Jeremy Laurence and Nick Macfie
Date: Nov. 21, 2012
h/t Enformable, Anonymous tip
A Japanese robot designed to withstand high levels of radiation and extreme heat at damaged nuclear plants such as Fukushima froze on Wednesday on its first public demonstration. [...]
Toshiba Corp unveiled Japan’s own nuclear-proof robot on Wednesday [...]
During the demonstration, the robot experienced a case of stage fright. The shuffling Tetrapod locked up and suddenly froze after it tried to balance itself, forcing technicians to carry it away
by GatorALLin
…. ouch…. won’t be the first public demo gone bad…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Y_Jp6PxsSQ
by Bri
Update: the technician was a big green guy with funny ears. The robot could be clearly heard saying in a Eddie Murphy voice,” there is nooooo way yall gonna git me to go on in there”.
by renzo canepari
Where have you guys been? a biographical movie about “Mecha Godzilla was made over 50 years ago!!!
by Gus
I love to see new machines. But isn’t this machine kind of tall? And why only four legs? I would think that at least six or even eight would be better and less likely to fall over. It may even help it to walk faster and less like a senior citizen.
by Editor
Perhaps to deal with water levels?
by GatorALLin
…reply to Gus… So like this Hexapod? If we could just get the honda robot guy to drive this giant spider robot, then we might have it… LOL
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/projecthexapod/stompy-the-giant-rideable-walking-robot-0?ref=live
http://www.techwireasia.com/1455/honda-shows-smarter-robot-helps-in-nuclear-crisis/
by GatorALLin
I was hoping to have seen the Godzilla robot from Japan by now….
by Gorden Russell
It looks like the Godzilla robot will be four-legged.
by GatorALLin
G.Russell (from past request).
To add any logo next to your name on this and other forums, go to this website and hook up your Name and email to this website http://en.gravatar.com/
by Mr.X
@Gator: We are still waiting for “mechanical Mcdonald”. I trust, it will be built this decade?