Boston Dynamics "Petman" (via Boston Dynamics)
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is set to develop breakthrough advancements in telepresence and remote operation of ground systems, by totally immersing soldier into robotic "Avatars." DARPA has dedicated $7 million of its 2012 budget to develop an avatar that can be used in combat and other tasks. Duties include, but are not limited to, "countering IEDs and mines, search and rescue missions, and recovering casualties during combat."
The effort is being called the "avatar program," undoubtedly inspired by the James Cameron movie, Avatar. Like the film, DARPA plans to have a soldier controlling a robot avatar from a safe location while still possessing the feeling of being present on the battlefield. The program will develop systems of communication between the avatar and soldier to effectively control the robot from some distance. If successful, it possesses the potential to save lives and reduce casualties. (At least for one side of the battle.)
DARPA is no stranger in the field of robotics. In the past, they have worked with Boston Dynamics and designed Petman, a semi-autonomous bi-pedal machine that is capable of walking similarly to humans. Additionally, AlphaDog is being built and tested to help assist soldiers in combat. AlphaDog is a large dog shaped robot that can carry up to 400 pounds and traverse 20 miles.There have also been successful investigations into robotics controlled by the mind. DARPA funded research into a prosthetic arm that was capable of many motions similar to the human arm. It has the ability to bend, twist and rotate 27 different ways, and is controlled by a microchip in the brain. It works by having the microchip record neuron activity and decode the signals to activate motor neurons that controlled the prosthetic arm.
Combine all these developments, the future is a grim, soulless, battlefield.
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