Robotics research has come a long way, but we still don’t have the kinds of sleek, sophisticated humanoid robots and mech suits we see in movies. But researchers at the Italian Institute of Technology (IIT) are getting one step closer to achieving their science fiction dreams of an aerial humanoid robot.
The researchers want to build a triple-threat robot that can fly through the air, walk on the ground on two legs, and manipulate objects like doors and valves. They say such a robot could help inspect in and around buildings during natural disasters.
Plans to get a robot off the ground have been in the works at IIT for several years, and the researchers have recently started doing experiments with an augmented version of their iCub robot. The uncanny iCub is “the size of a five-year-old child,” says the IIT website. “It can crawl on all fours, walk and sit up to manipulate objects.” Strap some propulsion engines on that thing and it becomes the iRonCub.
The iRonCub, as its name suggests, has engines on its hands and feet that will hopefully enable it to fly like Iron Man. There’s a lot of math involved in making Iron Man-esque flight happen, so iRonCub isn’t exactly soaring through the air yet, but it has to take things one step at a time like the rest of us.
For other mildly terrifying robotics projects, check out this uncomfortably lifelike robot and Elon Musk’s plans for a Tesla Bot.
Kait Sanchez is a freelance writer for IGN. Find them on Twitter @crisp_red.
Continue reading...
The researchers want to build a triple-threat robot that can fly through the air, walk on the ground on two legs, and manipulate objects like doors and valves. They say such a robot could help inspect in and around buildings during natural disasters.
Plans to get a robot off the ground have been in the works at IIT for several years, and the researchers have recently started doing experiments with an augmented version of their iCub robot. The uncanny iCub is “the size of a five-year-old child,” says the IIT website. “It can crawl on all fours, walk and sit up to manipulate objects.” Strap some propulsion engines on that thing and it becomes the iRonCub.
The iRonCub, as its name suggests, has engines on its hands and feet that will hopefully enable it to fly like Iron Man. There’s a lot of math involved in making Iron Man-esque flight happen, so iRonCub isn’t exactly soaring through the air yet, but it has to take things one step at a time like the rest of us.
For other mildly terrifying robotics projects, check out this uncomfortably lifelike robot and Elon Musk’s plans for a Tesla Bot.
Kait Sanchez is a freelance writer for IGN. Find them on Twitter @crisp_red.
Continue reading...