The Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), along with Boston Dynamics, is leading a remarkable innovation in robotics with advanced robots, including the Cheetah robot and the Legged Squad Support System (LS3).
The Fastest Legged Robot
These legged robots are inspired by the movements of four-legged animals to create speed with stability, efficient locomotion, and adaptability to various grounds.
The Cheetah robot proved to be the fastest legged robot ever made, with a record speed of 28.3 mph as of September 2012, breaking its previous record of 18 mph. The running speed of a real living cheetah is 61 mph.
These legged robots are designed to cross uneven terrains and obstacles that are difficult to cross using wheels. The Cheetah robot was developed under the Maximum Mobility and Manipulation Program to improve the ability of robots to move fast and effectively in their environment.
The robot is currently tested on a treadmill and is soon to be tested on real ground. It is powered by an off-board hydraulic pump and uses a suitable device to keep the robot running in the centre of the treadmill.
Legged Squad Support System (LS3)
DARPA’s four-legged squad support system has been developed to assist soldiers in carrying gear. It is capable of carrying 400 lbs of load and following the squad through various terrains.
It is semi-autonomous and is designed to interact with soldiers in a natural way, just like real animals.
The LS3 completed its outdoor tests in January 2012 by successfully climbing and moving down a hill, exercising its capabilities. As of September 2012, LS3 prototypes finished a demonstration with Marines, jogging and trotting.
New LS3 prototypes have been improved to reduce noise levels. The current prototype is 10 times less noisy than the first ones. They can walk at 3 mph, jog at 5 mph, and run at 7 mph, depending on the type of ground.
This new wave of robots could bring a significant change in robotic warfare, as long as they obey the three laws of Isaac Asimov.
Credits: DARPA, Boston Dynamics
