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Robots for Air Force Protection

Posted by michael on from the lazy-flyboys dept.

Roland Piquepaille writes "During a demonstration held in San Antonio on August 6, twelve robots intended to protect bases and people were shown to Air Force security directors and to 230 other security professionals. In "Robots display force-protection prowess," Air Force Link tells us the story. "Demonstrations included one robot that crawled up walls and across ceilings, another that clambered over rocks with six rotating legs and a third that wriggled like a snake through a pipe." This summary contains more details, including photos of the "Wall Crawler" climbing a wall and of Hexapod, a robot with six rotating legs walking over a pile of rocks."

12 of 251 comments (clear)

  1. Cool but... by WhytTiger · · Score: 3, Interesting

    These robots look rather cool, but it seems to me that it would be easy to interrupt the radio transmitter controlling these robots. Isn't there a better way to control them (either automate them, or something?)

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  2. A better use for them... by packethead · · Score: 1, Interesting

    infiltration!

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  3. Wallace & Gromit by Mad+Man · · Score: 2, Interesting
    "Demonstrations included one robot that crawled up walls and across ceilings,


    Funny to be reading that while I'm watching, "The Wrong Trousers" right now. (Think of the scene where the evil penguin is forcing Wallace to steal the diamond by walking across the ceiling).
  4. Robot Uses by darkstar949 · · Score: 2, Interesting

    The robots were developed for several purposes, including inspections hazardous areas, and bomb detection/disposal. However, they have more uses, because of their mobility they can be used to find victims trapped in narrow areas where a human or rescue dog might not be able to get at. Plus, robots don't complain about their job.

  5. Cool stuff... by glh · · Score: 5, Interesting

    One of the articles linked talked about people currently buying these things:

    People have bought it just the way it is for things like inspecting the fuselage of an aircraft," Wiedeman said.

    We are one step closer to having R2D2! I wonder if the robots can crawl around while the plane is in flight? (Probably not, based on the specs given). Anyway, I think this is pretty interesting. Using these on a space shuttle might not be a bad idea, ie- crawling around outside and inspecting things before take off. And later- making external in-flight repairs...

  6. Videos!! by brakk · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I want Videos! Pictures do nothing for me. In this age of palm sized video cameras and streaming porn, you would think I could get at least a lo-res video of some robots.

  7. Adaptability by Aerk · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Perhaps one day we can have a single robot to perform the varied functions mentioned above.

    Having your base protected by robots can lead to the possible problem of one thunderstorm shutting down base security. Until major improvements in AI are made, I would not trust robots to perform such a vital function.

  8. Radio Control by saskwach · · Score: 1, Interesting

    These robots seem radio controlled...so who's to stop a terrorist from getting a signal jammer and rendering these things useless...or a more powerful transmitter and taking them over?

  9. Maybe OT by hey! · · Score: 2, Interesting

    But does this situation with military and amateur inventors battlebots remind anyone else of the early days of aviation?

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  10. Wall/Ceiling Crawler? by CompWerks · · Score: 2, Interesting

    If this thing uses a louvered fan for suction how does it transition from the wall to the ceiling?

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  11. Re:RHex software on sourceforge. by hey! · · Score: 2, Interesting

    It was basically designed after a cockroach

    Which makes me think:What about designing a battle robot along the lines of a fire ant? Fireants swarm up a large animal like a human; when the first one makes it to the top it releases a pheromone which causes all the ants on the victim's body to use their painful poisoned bite simultaneously, sending their victim into shock.

    What's scarier -- the prospect of a thousand pound robot armed with guns and grenades, or a sixteen thousand tiny ant robots weighing an ounce each hiding, ready to swarm over their victim at a prearranged signal?

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  12. how about something really scary by bladeohlsson · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Now imagine preparing for the "invading force" and 10,000 of these come marching into town. You shoot them, they keep coming forward, you throw bombs at them and their legs fall off, but they still keep coming after you. They could even be programed to be non-leathal attackers that just grab you and don't let go and bring you back to jail. If fuel cells actually happen this kind of stuff is not that far off.

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    Yes, a wall walker may have more praticle uses, but imagine the fear factor of an army of these things coming into town with machine guns!

    more crazy stuff here

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