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SALT LAKE CITY -- The US Navy is expecting to perform field tests on an autonomous humanoid robot designed for firefighting purposes in late September of 2013.
The Shipboard Autonomous Firefighting Robot, or SAFFiR, is designed to not only fight fire -- which has been the cause of several lost lives aboard naval vessels over the years -- but will also interact with humans and respond to visual and voice commands.
Designers from the Naval Research Laboratory explained the reasoning behind creating a humanoid robot, citing reasons such as the need to operate within an area restricted to the nature of human mobility. Seemingly trivial things such as a low-placed beam would hinder the mobility of a wheel or tred-based construct, giving the humanoid design an advantage.
The robot is able to move about in this way using a system called "force control," which allows its AI to send messages to its motor, telling it to exert a specific amount of force in a certain direction. Combined with titanium springs simulating human tendons, SAFFiR is able to walk and bend much like a human being would, allowing it to traverse the unsteady terrain of a naval vessel.
The movement of SAFFiR's legs is impressive, but the capabilities of the upper body are fascinating. The Naval Research Laboratory says the robot's upper body will eventually be capable of utilizing fire suppressors, and throwing fire-extinguishing grenades. Its battery is capable of holding a 30-minute charge while performing firefighting functions.
In addition to its firefighting abilities, the US military has examined the potential of using SAFFiR for "other potential warfighting applications". However, proper field testing for such devices remains a distant goal.
Researchers from Virginia Tech and the University of Pennsylvania are working with the Naval Research Laboratory on the project.
Image credit: Virginia Tech
