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Virginia Tech's RoMeLa Answers DARPA Robotics Challenge With THOR

Posted by Unknown on from the the-system-lords-have-been-warned dept.

smackay writes "Virginia Tech's Robotics and Mechanisms Laboratory is building a humanoid robot designed for dangerous rescue missions as part of the new DARPA Robotics Challenge. Lab founder/director Dennis Hong calls it the 'greatest challenge of my career.' The robot's name: THOR" From the article: "The task is massive: The adult-sized robot must be designed to enter a vehicle, drive it, and then exit the vehicle, walk over rubble, clear objects blocking a door, open the door, and enter a building. The robot then must visually and audibly locate and shut off a leaking valve, connect a hose or connector, climb an industrial ladder and traverse an industrial walkway. The final and possibly most difficult task: Use a power tool and break through a concrete wall. All these tasks must be accomplished under a set time limit."

5 of 62 comments (clear)

  1. Jobs Are At Risk!!! by jdray · · Score: 3, Funny

    If one of these things get built, American jobs are at risk! Stop them now! ... sort of...

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    The Spoon
    Updated 6/28/2011
    1. Re:Jobs Are At Risk!!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      The adult-sized robot must be designed to enter a vehicle, drive it, and then exit the vehicle, walk over rubble, clear objects blocking a door, open the door, and enter a building. The robot then must visually and audibly locate and shut off a leaking valve, connect a hose or connector, climb an industrial ladder and traverse an industrial walkway. The final and possibly most difficult task: Use a power tool and break through a concrete wall. All these tasks must be accomplished under a set time limit.

      If the robot fails he can always break down on its knees and cream "Nooooo...I coulda been somebody. I coulda been a contender"

      I demand Futurama-style melodramatic robots!

  2. "...clear objects blocking a door, open it..." by John+Hasler · · Score: 4, Funny

    Does the door have be closable after it has been "opened"? If not, that concrete-wall-breaking tool could come in handy.

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    Warning: this article may contain humor, sarcasm, parody, and perhaps even irony. Read at your own risk.
  3. Re:Easy! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    You are sooooo busted Phineas!!!!

  4. Can't work. by nospam007 · · Score: 4, Funny

    "Use a power tool and break through a concrete wall. All these tasks must be accomplished under a set time limit."

    Under a set time limit? Not even a real, human contractor can do the latter, it's impossible.