A Robotic Centaur Created In The US For Rescuers
Credit: Satyress
American company Satyress is developing a remote-controlled centaur robot, Threehalves, designed to operate in forest fires, landslides, search for people under rubble, high temperatures, toxic environments, and confined spaces.
Threehalves isn’t currently positioned as an autonomous machine: the operator controls its movements from a safe distance using a joystick. Instead of permanently attached arms, the robot uses a modular limb system, allowing the working configuration to be changed in minutes and tools for specific tasks to be installed, such as a chainsaw, drill, or screwdriver. The standardization of components should simplify repairs in the field, and the four-legged nature of the robot will potentially provide better stability than bipedal robots.
The developers paid special attention to the emergency shutdown of this powerful machine. The robot can stop after recognizing a raised palm gesture. As a last resort, high-pressure cylinders are located on the body: they can be punctured by any means (knife, gunshot, or other means), after which the system releases the pressure and mechanically immobilizes the robot. Brakes also lock the mechanisms in the event of a loss of power or pressure in the pneumatic system.
Despite its height, Threehalves folds easily for transport. Two robots are said to fit side by side in the bed of a pickup truck approximately 1.7 meters long. However, the developer has not yet disclosed the device’s weight, load capacity, speed, battery life, communication range, or protection against water, dust, smoke, and high temperatures.
Satyress notes that the Threehalves concept is aimed at performing tasks that require human expertise and decision-making, but do not directly risk the lives of specialists.
