Segway's Robotic Mobility Platform

XopherMV writes "USA Today reports a military project aimed at building smarter robots has given researchers the wheels they need to make their automatons go. Originally developed by New Hampshire-based Segway for a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) program, the firm's Robotic Mobility Platform (RMP) allows robot developers to focus more on the thinking power of their machines while providing a quick mode of transportation. Segway's self-balancing robot platform takes up about 2 square feet and comes equipped with software and interface electronics necessary to receive, process and execute commands from an onboard robot payload. "It was a minor modification to what we had," Morrell said. "The challenges for us were largely in declining to get too fancy, and keeping it really simple." Capable of carrying 100 pounds (45 kilograms) and moving about 8 miles (12 kilometers) an hour, the platform has two different modes. Researchers can choose between its standalone function as a robot's wheels or a tractor-like mode for towing trailers or other loads. "The goal is not to have researchers worry about transportation," Morrell said. "That way, if [a robot's computer algorithms] work on an RMP, then you could put it on a Hummer or anything else.""

Comments

Re:Military Robots

[SidV]

Dolt

The draft will not be instituted because we saw what happens with a draft during Vietnam. That is why we moved to a volunteer military, because we saw (In the form of the Marine Corps) that a volunteer force always does better than a drafted force.

As such, even the military DOES NOT WANT A DRAFT. They do not want people like you in the military because they know you will be less than useless. You will actually drag others down with you.

Now should the living Ent Kerry be elected we might need a draft. Because every tin-pot dictator and terrorist knows that, the worse response they can expect is that we will meet with the French. Therefore they will "test" us about every chance they get.

PS, Bush has stated un-equivocally many times, there are no plans for a draft. There have been two proposals before congress. Both bills proposed by Democrats. Sounds to me like the Democrats are the one who want the draft.