Bear robot rescues wounded troops

GreyFlcnGreyFlcn Join Date: 2006-12-19 Member: 59134Members, Constellation
edited June 2007 in Off-Topic
<img src="http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/43019000/jpg/_43019385_robobear.jpg" border="0" alt="IPB Image" /><img src="http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/43020000/jpg/_43020651_robot_image203x295.jpg" border="0" alt="IPB Image" />
<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->1. Teddy bear face designed to be reassuring
2. Hydraulic upper body carries up to 227kgs (500lbs)
3. When kneeling tracked "legs" travel over rubble. Switches to wheels on smooth surfaces
4. Dynamic Balance Behaviour (DBB) technology allows the robot to stand and carry loads upright on its ankles, knees or hips for nearly an hour<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->


<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec--><u><b>Bear robot rescues wounded troops </b></u>
The US military is developing a robot with a teddy bear-style head to help carry injured soldiers away from the battlefield.

The Battlefield Extraction Assist Robot (BEAR) can scoop up even the heaviest of casualties and transport them over long distances over rough terrain.

New Scientist magazine reports that the "friendly appearance" of the robot is designed to put the wounded at ease.

It is expected to be ready for testing within five years.

While it is important to get medical attention for injured soldiers as soon as possible, it is often difficult and dangerous for their comrades to reach them and carry them back.

The 6ft tall Bear can cross bumpy ground without toppling thanks to a combination of gyroscopes and computer controlled motors to maintain balance.

It is also narrow enough to squeeze through doorways, but can lift 135kg with its hydraulic arms in a single smooth movement, to avoid causing pain to wounded soldiers.

While the existing prototype slides its arms under its burden like a forklift, future versions will be fitted with manoeuvrable hands to gently scoop up casualties.

The Bear is controlled remotely and has cameras and microphones through which an operator sees and hears.

It can even tackle stairs while carrying a human-sized dummy.

Daniel Theobald, the 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."

Vecna is working on other potential applications for the robot technology - including helping move heavy patients in hospital.

<a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6729745.stm" target="_blank">http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6729745.stm</a>
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Edited the topic to be more reasonable - KFDM.
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Comments

  • TychoCelchuuuTychoCelchuuu Anememone Join Date: 2002-03-23 Member: 345Members
    Jesus Christ. That teddy bear face is not reassuring. It's terrifying. That's the last thing I want tos ee when I'm being medvacked.
  • DrSuredeathDrSuredeath Join Date: 2002-11-11 Member: 8217Members
    edited June 2007
    Wouldn't it be easier to arm the teddy bear with guns? That way there isn't a soldier to be carried out.

    [youtube]vj1SzURv0uM[/youtube]
  • KainTSAKainTSA Join Date: 2005-05-30 Member: 52831Members, Constellation
    That's messed up. Good idea though.
  • FaskaliaFaskalia Wechsellichtzeichenanlage Join Date: 2004-09-12 Member: 31651Members, Constellation
    Wild guess:

    The robot will be used to carry pizza boxes around about 90% of the time.
  • PogoPPogoP Environment Artist Join Date: 2004-01-31 Member: 25827Members, NS2 Developer, Constellation
    I don't think the 'teddy bear' face will comfort the troops enough, so here's what I think it should look like:

    <img src="http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f332/PogoP/Bush.jpg" border="0" alt="IPB Image" />
  • DiscoZombieDiscoZombie Join Date: 2003-08-05 Member: 18951Members
    lawl <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":D" border="0" alt="biggrin-fix.gif" />

    I thought bipedal movement was a real stumbling block for robots. I'm impressed there's one that can do it while carrying variable loads...
  • UltimaGeckoUltimaGecko hates endnotes Join Date: 2003-05-14 Member: 16320Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1632190:date=Jun 7 2007, 12:57 PM:name=DiscoZombie)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DiscoZombie @ Jun 7 2007, 12:57 PM) [snapback]1632190[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->
    lawl <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":D" border="0" alt="biggrin-fix.gif" />

    I thought bipedal movement was a real stumbling block for robots. I'm impressed there's one that can do it while carrying variable loads in a <i>tentative</i> 5 years...
    <!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    Let me just fix that right up for you.


    Whatever happened to the killer robots that were supposed to be defending the Korean DMZ in 5 years 3 years ago?
  • HybridclawHybridclaw Join Date: 2003-11-03 Member: 22271Members
    I wonder what Steven Colbert would say about this...
  • ConfusedConfused Wait. What? Join Date: 2003-01-28 Member: 12904Members, Constellation, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue, Subnautica Playtester
    <!--quoteo(post=1632213:date=Jun 7 2007, 03:04 PM:name=UltimaGecko)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(UltimaGecko @ Jun 7 2007, 03:04 PM) [snapback]1632213[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->
    Let me just fix that right up for you.
    Whatever happened to the killer robots that were supposed to be defending the Korean DMZ in 5 years 3 years ago?
    <!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    You mean <a href="http://www.newlaunches.com/archives/samsung_develops_machine_gun_sentry_robot_costs_200k.php" target="_blank">this robot</a> Or did it have to have legs?
  • UltimaGeckoUltimaGecko hates endnotes Join Date: 2003-05-14 Member: 16320Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1632219:date=Jun 7 2007, 02:28 PM:name=Confused)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Confused @ Jun 7 2007, 02:28 PM) [snapback]1632219[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->
    You mean <a href="http://www.newlaunches.com/archives/samsung_develops_machine_gun_sentry_robot_costs_200k.php" target="_blank">this robot</a> Or did it have to have legs?
    <!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    That sounds about right....now where are all the $200k robots running around all future-era Terminator like?
  • X_StickmanX_Stickman Not good enough for a custom title. Join Date: 2003-04-15 Member: 15533Members, Constellation
    <!--quoteo(post=1632173:date=Jun 7 2007, 05:16 PM:name=TychoCelchuuu)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TychoCelchuuu @ Jun 7 2007, 05:16 PM) [snapback]1632173[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->
    Jesus Christ. That teddy bear face is not reassuring. It's terrifying. That's the last thing I want tos ee when I'm being medvacked.
    <!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->


    Exactly what I thought. If I'm lying on the ground after being shot, and I see a giant robot teddy bear rolling / running towards me, "reassured" is probably the best way of describing the opposite to what I'm feeling.

    Until I get used to it, I guess. Then again, I wouldn't want to be "used" to being medvacked.
  • TychoCelchuuuTychoCelchuuu Anememone Join Date: 2002-03-23 Member: 345Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1632232:date=Jun 7 2007, 01:49 PM:name=X_Stickman)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(X_Stickman @ Jun 7 2007, 01:49 PM) [snapback]1632232[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->
    Exactly what I thought. If I'm lying on the ground after being shot, and I see a giant robot teddy bear rolling / running towards me, "reassured" is probably the best way of describing the opposite to what I'm feeling.

    Until I get used to it, I guess. Then again, I wouldn't want to be "used" to being medvacked.
    <!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    You're too fat anyways. The bear would be all like "no way man, someone else pick him up. I'm gonna go find some thin dude who needs medvacking."
  • LikuLiku I, am the Somberlain. Join Date: 2003-01-10 Member: 12128Members
    I'm guessing this robot's really slow, so what's going to stop people from taking it down and shooting at the soldier it's carrying?
  • cshank4cshank4 Join Date: 2003-02-11 Member: 13425Members
    Oh ye gods...

    Sometimes I wonder what designers smoke when coming up with designs.
  • TestamentTestament Join Date: 2002-11-02 Member: 4037Members
    Teddybot can see forever into your soul.
  • GwahirGwahir Join Date: 2002-04-24 Member: 513Members, Constellation
    <!--quoteo(post=1632241:date=Jun 7 2007, 05:41 PM:name=cshank4)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(cshank4 @ Jun 7 2007, 05:41 PM) [snapback]1632241[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->
    Oh ye gods...

    Sometimes I wonder what designers smoke when coming up with designs.
    <!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->


    depends on our mood.
  • X_StickmanX_Stickman Not good enough for a custom title. Join Date: 2003-04-15 Member: 15533Members, Constellation
    <!--quoteo(post=1632234:date=Jun 7 2007, 10:17 PM:name=TychoCelchuuu)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TychoCelchuuu @ Jun 7 2007, 10:17 PM) [snapback]1632234[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->
    You're too fat anyways. The bear would be all like "no way man, someone else pick him up. I'm gonna go find some thin dude who needs medvacking."
    <!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->


    I take your lack of a Star Wars based insult to mean that you've finally conceeded that, y'know, I know more about it.

    Plus I weigh... I dunno.... around 270-275lb, not over 500.
  • GreyFlcnGreyFlcn Join Date: 2006-12-19 Member: 59134Members, Constellation
    edited June 2007
    Sad part is, this is the first thing that ran through my mind.

    <img src="http://www.greyfalcon.net/pedobear.png" border="0" alt="IPB Image" />
    <a href="http://www.encyclopediadramatica.com/index.php/Pedobear" target="_blank">http://www.encyclopediadramatica.com/index.php/Pedobear</a>
  • ScytheScythe Join Date: 2002-01-25 Member: 46NS1 Playtester, Forum Moderators, Constellation, Reinforced - Silver
    <!--quoteo(post=1632234:date=Jun 8 2007, 07:17 AM:name=TychoCelchuuu)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TychoCelchuuu @ Jun 8 2007, 07:17 AM) [snapback]1632234[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->
    You're too fat anyways. The bear would be all like "no way man, someone else pick him up. I'm gonna go find some thin dude who needs medvacking."
    <!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    More like "Wow I bet that guy knows more about star wars than anyone in the world! I'll go carry him so I can fill my databanks with vast amounts of starwars related trivia!".

    --Scythe--
  • TychoCelchuuuTychoCelchuuu Anememone Join Date: 2002-03-23 Member: 345Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1632317:date=Jun 7 2007, 08:02 PM:name=Scythe)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Scythe @ Jun 7 2007, 08:02 PM) [snapback]1632317[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->
    More like "Wow I bet that guy knows more about star wars than anyone in the world! I'll go carry him so I can fill my databanks with vast amounts of starwars related trivia!".

    --Scythe--
    <!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    More like "wow, that guy knows absolutely nothing about Star Wars. I bet he's never even seen the movies. I can't let him die without having seem the most awesome movies ever. I'd better save him."
  • TestamentTestament Join Date: 2002-11-02 Member: 4037Members
    Star Wars is for suckers. And Greedo shot first.

    ahahahahahahahahahahaahaahaahahahahahahaha
  • DrfuzzyDrfuzzy FEW... MORE.... INCHES... Join Date: 2003-09-21 Member: 21094Members
    I'd rather have a mean looking one to scare the people who JUST SHOT ME away. Doubt i would want to be lifted into the air where there is bullets being sprayed lol
  • TestamentTestament Join Date: 2002-11-02 Member: 4037Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1632363:date=Jun 8 2007, 01:31 AM:name=Drfuzzy)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Drfuzzy @ Jun 8 2007, 01:31 AM) [snapback]1632363[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->
    I'd rather have a mean looking one to scare the people who JUST SHOT ME away. Doubt i would want to be lifted into the air where there is bullets being sprayed lol
    <!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    Assuming Bearbot was NOT a terrifying beast from hell-faced robotic monstrosity... would you shoot a teddybot?
  • BlackMageBlackMage [citation needed] Join Date: 2003-06-18 Member: 17474Members, Constellation
    edited June 2007
    i'd give the bot a machine gun in one hand and a grenade launcher in the other. the problem isn't the fallen soldier, it's the hot extraction.
  • SwiftspearSwiftspear Custim tital Join Date: 2003-10-29 Member: 22097Members
    IMO the bot would probably work better as a diversion to draw fire then it would as an entity for extraction...
  • GeminosityGeminosity :3 Join Date: 2003-09-08 Member: 20667Members
    <b>Dying Soldier:</b> "uhhhh... tell... tell my family I loved them..."
    <b>B.E.A.R:</b> "I AM COLD AND UNFEELING!!!"

    :o
  • UltimaGeckoUltimaGecko hates endnotes Join Date: 2003-05-14 Member: 16320Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1632397:date=Jun 8 2007, 07:10 AM:name=Geminosity)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Geminosity @ Jun 8 2007, 07:10 AM) [snapback]1632397[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->
    <b>Dying Soldier:</b> "uhhhh... tell... tell my family I loved them..."
    <b>B.E.A.R:</b> "I AM COLD AND UNFEELING!!!"

    :o
    <!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    You know, it supposedly has microphones and cameras so that the operator can see and interact with the wounded person; the bear face is still evil and threatening, though.
  • HazeHaze O RLY? Join Date: 2003-07-07 Member: 18018Members, Constellation
    <!--quoteo(post=1632235:date=Jun 7 2007, 05:17 PM:name=Liku)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Liku @ Jun 7 2007, 05:17 PM) [snapback]1632235[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->
    I'm guessing this robot's really slow, so what's going to stop people from taking it down and shooting at the soldier it's carrying?
    <!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    The face.
  • X_StickmanX_Stickman Not good enough for a custom title. Join Date: 2003-04-15 Member: 15533Members, Constellation
    <!--quoteo(post=1632474:date=Jun 8 2007, 06:35 PM:name=Haze)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Haze @ Jun 8 2007, 06:35 PM) [snapback]1632474[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->
    The face.
    <!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    You mean my SUPERHERO THAT I MADE UP? THIS ONE?

    <img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v221/X_Stickman/Stuff/The%20Face/thefaceclean.jpg" border="0" alt="IPB Image" />

    <img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v221/X_Stickman/Stuff/The%20Face/TheFaceSavesPlane.gif" border="0" alt="IPB Image" /> (<3 artica)

    <a href="http://x-stickman.livejournal.com/" target="_blank">http://x-stickman.livejournal.com/</a>

    Hahaha.... Oh man, you set me up for that.
  • GeminosityGeminosity :3 Join Date: 2003-09-08 Member: 20667Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1632425:date=Jun 8 2007, 03:00 PM:name=UltimaGecko)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(UltimaGecko @ Jun 8 2007, 03:00 PM) [snapback]1632425[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->
    You know, it supposedly has microphones and cameras so that the operator can see and interact with the wounded person; the bear face is still evil and threatening, though.
    <!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    meh, your problem is you let pesky things like facts and truth get in the way :p
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