Italian researchers are developing a humanoid robot to replace humans in search and rescue operations following disasters. <br /><br /> Walk-Man is being taught to move and walk at the Italian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Genoa, and could one day save your life.<br /><br /> The robot still needs instructions from humans, but in the near future it should be able to assess dangers and environmental conditions before taking action to get the job done.<br /><br /> The Walk-Man team is currently working on the robot’s software to improve its ability to support itself while walking over rough surfaces.<br /><br /> IIT senior researcher Nikolaos Tsagarakis explained to euronews that the robot is kind of anthropomorphic: it has joints and motions similar to a human body. <br /><br /> “You can see the hand, with five fingers, there is a thumb,” said Tsagarakis. “And it was designed for the purpose to perform very powerful manipulations.”<br /><br /> Walk-Man is being developed within a European Union research project and is fitted with a stereo vision system and a rotating 3D laser scanner. <br /><br /> Researchers plan to have a human operator take control remotely for advanced problem solving.<br /><br /> The robot has already driven a car and can make many human-like movements.<br /><br /> The researchers’ big technical challenge has been how to control locomotion, balance and manipulation of this 1.80 metre tall robot.<br /><br /> The robot’s power is similar to a medium-sized car, explained research engineer Ioannis Sakoglou.<br /><br /> “Every joint of the robot, let’s say the knee joint or the hip joint, which needs to provide a lot of effort, are similar to the power of a 50 cc scooter engine,” said Sakoglou.<br /><br /> In places that are safe for humans, robots that look and behave like humans could have advantages over robots on wheels. <br /><br /> The upgraded version of WALK-MAN in its final stage! IITalk pic.twitter.com/Cu2ycCCzXf— WALK-MAN (WalkmanRobot) June 8, 2016<br /><br /> Inspired by nature<br />Researchers from ITT get most of their inspiration directly from nature, as Sakoglou explained:<br /><br /> “Many principles that exist in biology have given us inspiration on how could be designed a robot. One thing is energy saving, especially through devising mechanisms that are back drivable to make use of swing phases in our natural motion.”<br /><br /> Ecco a voi la potenza di Walkman, il #robot nato per salvare vite umane di #IIT HP_Italia pic.twitter.com/IGF7nDV5Qo— Francesco Marino (framarin) July 29, 2016<br /><br /> Many of the robot’s actions use gravity rather than energy to move.<br /><br /> “We try to integrate this inspiration in our designs,” explained Sakoglou, “to make robots that are energy efficient and can operate well longer than the robot can do at the moment.”<br /><br /> Search and rescue<br /><br /> The next step for Walk-Man will be a major test it is expected to pass under the eyes of the Italian Civil Protection authority. <br /><br /> During the test, the robot will be sent into a building on fire. Its mission: to search and rescue a human being.<br />
