An Iron Man-style robot is designed to help out during natural disasters by wading through rubble and using its propulsion backpack to fly over difficult terrain.
The robot, called iCub, has been developed by experts at the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT) in Genoa, Italy.
Robotic systems in iCub’s palms will allow it to control power and direction as it zooms through the air using propulsion rockets.
iCub’s modest size – just 3.4 feet – and propulsion abilities will allow it to reach spots humans or drones cannot get to in search of human survivors.
The reminiscent of the Iron Man armour worn by Marvel Comics character Tony Stark, played on the big screen by Robert Downey Jr.
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The team of scientists at a research facility in Italy has developed a robot to help out during natural disasters
It can crawl on all fours, walk and sit up to manipulate objects. Its hands have been designed to support sophisticated manipulation skills
Iron Man can fly using rockets in his hands and feet. ‘Iron Man’ armour was worn by Marvel Comics character Tony Stark, played on the big screen by Robert Downey Jr
According to experts at IIT, the field of robotics is still lagging behind in terms of offering affordable solutions for disaster scenarios.
‘Every year, about 300 natural disasters kill around 90.000 humans and affect 160 million people across the world,’ the institute’s website says.
‘Unfortunately, robotics is still lagging behind to offer affordable solutions in these disaster scenarios.’
iCub has been in development for more than 15 years. He has been named partly in a nod to the man-cub from Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book.
At 3.4 feet (104 cm) tall, it’s just the size of a five-year-old child, and comes with a slightly eerie, doll-like face.
iCub can crawl on all fours, walk and sit up to manipulate objects, such as fragmented pieces of building or rubble, while its hands have been designed to support sophisticated manipulation skills.
‘It is one of the few platforms in the world with a sensitive full-body skin to deal with safe physical interaction with the environment,’ IIT says.
The small humanoid robot, called iCub, will fly using a propulsion backpack and has systems in its palms that allow it to control power and direction
Experts hope the robot’s size and propulsion abilities will allow it to reach spots humans or drones cannot get to
The IIT team has been working on robotics for the last 15 years, with the goal to push Italy forward in the sector.
A video simulation from the experts shows how human operators could remotely use software to move iCub around a disaster scenario.
‘The developed simulator integrates sound simulation, which originates from the real experiments performed for jet identification and control purposes,’ engineers say.
‘Finally, the control algorithms ensure vertical take-off and landing, with orientation control and flight information.’
