Bear robot designed to rescue wounded troops

Cassiel · Post by **Cassiel** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 3:47 pm

Best invention ever, and its manufacturers are even named after Vecna...:

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.

BEAR FACTS
Robot carries dummy - annotated with details
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

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.

MorbidKate · Post by **MorbidKate** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 4:01 pm

Wouldn't be to comfy for anyone with a back, neck or head injury. I guess it's best use would be for a soldier wounded out in the open though I doubt patrols would lug a robot with them. Getting wounded help with the "Golden Hour" suggests buddies wouldn't wait long for a robot to be called up. Still, I hope they come up with something useful.

Kate

Brokenbone · Post by **Brokenbone** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 4:36 pm

"Help me Haste Bear!"

What a weird article, the pictures are a riot too.

HEEGZ · Post by **HEEGZ** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 7:29 pm

That face has got to go, OMFG.

Grand Fromage · Post by **Grand Fromage** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 7:34 pm

Robutz in disguise.

Nyarlathotep · Post by **Nyarlathotep** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 7:38 pm

Vecna Technologies? Please tell me they are working on cybernetic hands and eyes of doom.

NickD · Post by **NickD** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 8:47 pm

I just finished reading Forever Peace (by the same author as The Forever War)... Wars of the future were fought by remote controlled robots called soldierboys... This looks like the first step on that path!

Veilan · Post by **Veilan** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 9:56 pm

I don't think I'd want to see a grinning bear face as the last thing while bleeding to death

.

I do wonder, if that robot can go where soldiers can't to save their buddies, why not use the robot as cover first...

Mulu · Post by **Mulu** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 2:25 am

Why not just give the robot a gun?

This is how the cylons started.

And I agree that "teddy bear" head is creepy.

NickD · Post by **NickD** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 3:35 am

Alara wrote:I do wonder, if that robot can go where soldiers can't to save their buddies, why not use the robot as cover first...

Life is cheap, robots aren't.

Grand Fromage · Post by **Grand Fromage** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 4:18 am

There are combat robots being tested in Iraq, I think. They're not humanoid, one of them is like a little tank with a couple of guns.

MorbidKate · Post by **MorbidKate** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 5:50 am

NickD wrote:I just finished reading Forever Peace (by the same author as The Forever War)... Wars of the future were fought by remote controlled robots called soldierboys... This looks like the first step on that path!

Who knows, maybe Star Trek predicted the future back in 1967

http://www.treknation.com/episodes/tos/ ... ddon.shtml

Burt · Post by **Burt** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 11:41 am

I immediately thought of Bear Grylls. This thread is a let down.

Charlie · Post by **Charlie** » Sat Jun 30, 2007 9:37 pm

Something else for the snipers to shoot.

ThinkTank · Post by **ThinkTank** » Sun Jul 01, 2007 11:23 am

Bear Robot. $$$
Molotov Cocktail. nil
Having your expensive as hell robot blown up by something as cheap as shat?

priceless.