This Agile Robot Can Work In Any Environment

This agile NASA robot called “RoboSimian” can complete a variety of complex tasks, like walk treacherous terrains, walk upstairs, cut holes, and even dive and jump out of moving vehicles.

The ape-like robot was created to complete in the Darpa Robotics Challenge finals in 2013. But NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory say Robosimian is capable of working in any environment and could eventually be used to assist humans during natural disasters

Robosimian is controlled by a human operator through seven sets of cameras and a 3D-mapping device that provide a more accurate navigation of the robot’s environment. Its creators say their design is focused on stability, which they believe will make the bot more accurate whenever it’s on a mission in which precision is needed.   

Jet Propulsion Laboratory said in a statement. “With seven sets of stereo cameras for seeing and four limbs for maneuvering and manipulation, RoboSimian has been designed to traverse complicated terrain and perform dexterous tasks. The robot also features a LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) device for mapping its environment in 3-D. RoboSimian and its competitors will be faced with such tasks as driving a vehicle and getting out of it, opening a door, cutting a hole in a wall, opening a valve and crossing a field of debris.