Meet DARPA's ATLAS Humanoid Robot

 DARPA Robotics Challenge  

DARPA recently provided more information on their Robotics Challenge competition including a full breakdown of the course and tasks the robots must accomplish. Also, Boston Robotics, makers of the ATLAS robot that will be used by many of the qualifying teams have released a video featuring the latest in humanoid robots.

The the video above, introduces ATLAS, one of the most advanced humanoid robots in the world made for DARPA by Boston Dynamics.

ATLAS was developed for use by teams in the  DARPA Robotics Challenges. Software-focused teams from Tracks B and C of the DARPA Robotics Challenge (DRC) will get to use the physical robot to compete in the first physical competition of the Challenge in December 2013 at the Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Incorporating  lessons learned from the PETMAN humanoid robot, Boston Dynamics has enabled wtih ATLAS features for greater mobility, and more sensing.  

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ATLAS is a high mobility, humanoid robot designed to negotiate outdoor, rough terrain. The robot can walk bipedally leaving the upper limbs free to lift, carry, and manipulate the environment. In extremely challenging terrain, ATLAS is strong and coordinated enough to climb using hands and feet, to pick its way through congested spaces.

Articulated, sensing hands will enable Atlas to use tools designed for human use. Atlas includes 28 hydraulically-actuated degrees of freedom, two hands, arms, legs, feet and a torso.

An articulated sensor head includes stereo cameras and a laser range finder. This version of ATLAS is powered from an off-board, electric power supply via a flexible tether. Which will be allowed for in the competition, but will eventually need to be dealt with for the robot to operate independently in actual emergency situations.

More DRC Information Announced

The date and location of this part of the competition was recently announced.  A full breakdown of the tasks and obstacles the robots will face has also been made public.  It will be incredibly impressive if any of the competitors can complete the course.

ATLAS and the other robots will have to navigate obstacles like this during the DRC.  Image Source: DARPA

Basing the competition on real-world scenarios, the competition organizers have included very challenging rubble and even a staircase based on one in the Fukishima-Daichi plant that was found to be a major obstacle that could not be negotiated by any of the robots sent to that disaster zone.

The qualifying competitors have won their way to this part of the competition by effectively operating a computer simulated version of ATLAS.

The stated goal of the DRC is to generate groundbreaking research and development so that future robotics can perform the most hazardous activities in future disaster response operations, in tandem with their human counterparts, in order to reduce casualties, avoid further destruction, and save lives.



SOURCE  DARPA

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