 |
RISE Robot: Six-Legged BIODYNOTICS Runaway
RISE robots, creepy six-legged automatons, are climbing trees, fences and walls of all kinds, funded by our friends from DARPA.
(RISE robot climbs a vertical brick wall)
These Robots In Sensorial Environments are being developed by researchers from Carnegie Mellon, in cooperation with colleagues from the University of Pennsylvania, Stanford University, U.C. Berkeley, Lewis & Clark University, and BostonDynamics Inc. (Those guys from BostonDynamics have been busy; check out how they're doing with their BigDog military robot.)
These robots appear to climb practically anything they can get a grip on with claws or sticky pads. Each leg is powered by two electric motors; an onboard computer controls leg motion, services sensors and handles communication with handlers. RISE robots change posture depending on the curvature of the climbing surface; a fixed tail helps on steep ascents. RISE robots are about 0.25 meters long and weigh in at 2 kg. The maximum travel speed is about 0.3 m/sec.
(RISE robot climbs a smooth wall)
The RISE robots are chillingly similar to the sinister killing robots from the 1984 film Runaway, starring Tom Selleck and (bizarrely) Gene Simmons from the rock group KISS playing the maniacal bad guy. Michael Crichton wrote and directed this unjustly neglected movie.
(Killer-Spider-Robots attack Tom Selleck in Runaway)
In the film, robots perform practically every function you can think of in the home, office and industry. However, every so often one of these bots would go postal - and that's when they'd call the Runaway team - a special police unit that would bring them under control. Eventually, killer-spider-robots that can climb trees, fences or walls start to appear, spitting acid and electricuting victims, and who will stop them? DARPA had better be putting some sort of master control switch on those RISE robots...
Update 22-Feb-2007:Take a look at the RISE robot in action in this RISE robot video. (End update.)
If you liked these little RISE guys, you'll love the European Space Agency's Robotic Space Spiders and the crustacean clockwork Robot Crabs. See the creepy RISE robot video and read a bit more about it. Thanks to Winchell Chung for putting the reference together and providing the story tip. (You, too, can contribute stories to Technovelgy by contacting me here.)
Scroll down for more stories in the same category. (Story submitted 3/9/2006)
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 ( 5 )
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.
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.
