Real-Time Control of a Humanoid Robot

An anonymous reader writes: A new project at MIT aims to put humans in real-time control of a humanoid robot. Operators strap into a vest that contains control circuitry and a pair of arm-like joysticks. As the operator grasps the ends and moves his arms, the robot mimics his arm movements in real time. A demonstration shows the robot crushing cans and punching through drywall. The operator is also given a pair of goggles that shows what the robot is currently "seeing," and the vest provides haptic feedback about what the robot is "feeling." According to a video MIT posted, the goal is to give robots human reflexes for tasks like keeping balance and basic maneuvering. The need for such technology was evident earlier this summer at the DARPA Robotics Challenge, where robots tasked with inspection and repair duties couldn't help but fall down as they moved throughout the testing grounds.

Comments

Muppets

[CanHasDIY]

Operators strap into a vest that contains control circuitry and a pair of arm-like joysticks. As the operator grasps the ends and moves his arms, the robot mimics his arm movements in real time.

Um, didn't the Jim Henson Company develop that technology 40-some-odd years ago?

Re:Remotely operated

[GoodNewsJimDotCom]

ATV robots were some of the first attempts at robotic killers the military did. I was at Westinghouse for technology talks for highschool kids in like 93 or 94. Turns out that air based robots are easier to navigate because they don't have to go through a myriad of terrains. I think someday they'll make ground based guys, but I think before that happens, we'll have a self driving car. After all, if the thing can't drive on good terrain, what hopes does it have for forests, and hill/mountain/cliffs? So maybe 25-50 years from now unless AI gets incubated.