PETMAN Robot Video Shows Non-Human Origin

The PETMAN is a supposedly humanoid robot under development to test chemical protection clothing for the US Army. However, take a look at the PETMAN video below; there is something about the articulation of its legs that is not quite right...


(PETMAN robot goes for a walk)

How is this robot supposed to test human clothing when it has an extra, reversed joint in its legs? My legs don't work like that. Supposedly, the PETMAN robot has the following goal:

Natural, agile movement is essential for PETMAN to simulate how a soldier stresses protective clothing under realistic conditions. The robot will have the shape and size of a standard human, making it the first anthropomorphic robot that moves dynamically like a real person.

The PETMAN robot is Frederik Pohl's consumption robots brought to life for your consumer pleasure, right out of his 1954 story The Midas Plague:

There was the butler robot, hard at work, his copper face expressionless. Dressed in Morey's own sports knickers and golfing shoes, the robot solemnly hit a ball against the wall, picked it up and teed it, hit it again, over and again, with Morey's own clubs.

Read more about the PETMAN Robot Protection Ensemble Test Mannequin; I found the video on good ol' MAKE.

Scroll down for more stories in the same category. (Story submitted 10/26/2009)

Follow this kind of news @Technovelgy.

| Email | RSS | Blog It | Stumble | del.icio.us | Digg | Reddit |

Would you like to contribute a story tip? It's easy:
Get the URL of the story, and the related sf author, and add it here.

Comment/Join discussion ( 3 )

Related News Stories - (" Robotics ")

AirRobot Micro-UAV 'Fairies' In Shakespeare Play
No mere rude mechanicals, AirRobots played airy fairies in this performance of 'A Midsummer's Night Dream'.

Walky iPhone Finger Gesture Robot Controller
This program really makes controlling robots a breeze. Just let your fingers make your robot do the walking.

Robot Martial Arts Videos
Take a look at these four robots performing a variety of martial arts moves.

Lev, Theremin-Playing Robot
Pretty cool DIY robotic device reprises a classic song from the 1950's, the same ere during which the theremin dominated sf movie soundtracks.

 

Google
  Web TechNovelgy.com   

Technovelgy (that's tech-novel-gee!) is devoted to the creative science inventions and ideas of sf authors. Look for the Invention Category that interests you, the Glossary, the Invention Timeline, or see what's New.

 

 

 

 

 

Current News

AirRobot Micro-UAV 'Fairies' In Shakespeare Play
At least they were not the 'rude mechanicals'.

Paralysis Ray Uses Photocontrolled Molecular Switch
Gerry was dubious. She had seen abortive attempts at paralysis rays before.

Brine Wells May Swallow Towns
Dissolve 1 teaspoon of the Quadraturin essence in 1 cup of water.

Will In-Vitro Meat Change Our Lives?
ChickieNobs, anyone?

Walky iPhone Finger Gesture Robot Controller
Let your fingers - uh - your robot do the walking. And hopping.

OnStar Stolen Vehicle Slowdown Foils Carjacker
Better than a car chase.

Robot Martial Arts Videos
Robo-Shiko!

Interactive TV Patent From Sony
Can you dance faster than the White Clown?

Smart Contact Lens With Power Harvesting Circuits
Smart contacts with VR connections.

'Significant Amount' Of Lunar Water Found
Droogs! There's water ice on the moon!

FOXP2 Tweak Yields Planet Of The Apes?
Get your filthy words off me, you damn dirty ape!

Lev, Theremin-Playing Robot
Patsy Cline classic played by robot.

XT-1 Micro Mouse With Blazing Speed
These are fully autonomouse robots.

Escape Pods, Refuge Of ISS Astronauts From Space Junk
Who first thought about escape pods?

Steerable Bowling Ball Is A Cheesy Spherical Robot
Once the province of geeks, now in bowling alleys.

Bio-Mechanics And Micro-Robotic Flight
Micro air vehicles and insect flight.

More SF in the News Stories

More Beyond Technovelgy science news stories

Home | Glossary | Invention Timeline | Category | New | Contact Us | FAQ | Advertise |
Technovelgy.com - where science meets fiction™

Copyright© Technovelgy LLC; all rights reserved.