14 DAY TRIAL // There are many areas where robots could be useful, now that they're actually gaining a decent ability to walk, even though they usually need more than two legs for it. Strangely enough, one of the most promising robots made recently comes from NASA.
Many robotic contraptions we've covered originate from this or that university, or DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency).
DARPA doesn't only make robots, however, it also hosts occasional contests open for others to make submissions, both people and organizations.
One such competition was the DARPA Robotics Challenge, where a robot called RoboSimian from NASA reached the finale.
But that isn't the only robot we're concerned with here. Instead, we'll also take a look at the Surge, which may as well be its brother.
The Surrogate / Surge rescue robot
It isn't specifically described as an exclusive search and rescue robot, but that's where it will probably distinguish itself most.
While it lacks the ability to crawl up walls and rough terrain that the RoboSimian boasts (odd name that, since it's more of a spider), the Surge has a better ability to manipulate objects.
We can thank the spine for that, as well as the head and two arms. It definitely looks more like a man or a monkey than the RoboSimian.
NASA's strange naming habits aside, the robot uses Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) equipment (installed on the head) to create 3D maps of various locations using laser beams.
Thus, one might say it's more of a reconnaissance robot than the RoboSimian, while the latter can be more involved in the actual rescue.
Current activities
The NASA folks aren't doing much with the Surge, but they do intend to add some of its capabilities to the RoboSimian, notably the LiDAR tool.
RoboSimian will be sent to the DARPA Robotics Challenge finals in June 2015, so it needs every advantage it can get. If Surge had any self-awareness, it probably wouldn't mind helping its so-called “brother” out that way. It's not like its own LiDAR system will be torn off its head or anything.
We'll be looking forward to the event, where RoboSimian will try to drive a car, turn valves, and move debris out of doorways. Surrogate will, meanwhile, be an example of how the legs/arms can be reconfigured for other tasks and platforms.
Future research will, among many other things, attempt to render the movements more streamlined and faster.
