The WALK-MAN project is now in its final validation phase, and today announces that it has a series of hardware improvements, starting with a redesigned frame made of aluminium, magnesium and titanium alloys. These lightweight materials reduced 31 kg to the robot, leaving it alone at 102 kg.
The robot is now faster and more dynamic
With less mass to transport, especially the upper part of the body mass, the robot is now faster, more dynamic and more able to balance itself, which is very important to move through the disaster areas for which it is intended. The upper body actuators are also new, and even with a smaller battery, the higher efficiency means that WALK-MAN can operate for about 2 hours with a 1 kWh battery.
Now it can firmly grasp a wide variety of objects
WALK-MAN, a much larger project, funded by the European Commission, which involves several research institutes and universities that contribute to the development of different aspects of the robot, from simulation to perception, locomotion and manipulation. IIT has collaborated with the University of Pisa in biomorphic hands that can firmly grasp a wide variety of objects, and the arms are strong enough to carry 10 kg for more than 10 minutes (the previous version could only carry 7 kg).
Faster execution
The robot is under the command of the human operator in 80 percent of its actions, with some autonomous local functions related to the actions of whole body movement and stabilization. In fact, the main challenges are to gradually increase the autonomy of the robot control and, in this way, achieve a faster execution performance. So, what do you think about this robot? Simply share all your views and thoughts in the comment section below.
