Robotic Spiderman

Researchers from the University of Canterbury had created a wall climbing robot. The research team, lead by Associate Professor XiaoQi Chen in the University’s Mechanical Engineering department, announced the breakthrough in mobile robotic technology.

Professor Chen said other wall-climbing robots being developed used either suction techniques, electromagnetic principles or nano-fibre based dry adhesion, however theirs uses unmatched technology. However, he could not discuss further the mechanics of the robot because the team is investigating patents for the new technology.

The team has other mobile units in mind, you can read more on this at Science Alert.

Army to Use Armed Robots in Iraq

The US Army recently introduce the use of armed unmanned ground system (UGS) in Iraq, marking this as a new milestone for unmanned systems and US Troops.

The Special Weapons Observation Remote reconnaissance Direct action System (SWORDS) is a version of the Foster Miller 3B robot that is outfitted with the Telepresent Rapid Aiming Platform (TRAP) remotely operated weapon station made by Precision Remotes. SWORDS can carry a 5.56 mm M249 Squad Automatic Weapon, a 7.62 mm M240
machine gun or an M109 Barrett .50-calibre sniper rifle.

The SWORDS marks the first deployment by a military unit of a safety-certified armed ground robot. This is a huge deal because troops can now be out of harms way while still in combat. The past couple of years have place a high demand on UGS and UGV (unmanned ground vehicles), however, SWORDS marks the first time robots have potential to be use as to take the infantry role.