RoboticsAnthropomorphic robot testing chemical protection

Published 2 November 2011

Boston Dynamics is showing its PETMAN — an anthropomorphic robot for testing chemical protection clothing used by the U.S. Army

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Robotics company Boston Dynamics is promoting PETMAN — an anthropomorphic robot for testing chemical protection clothing used by the U.S. Army. The company says that unlike previous suit testers, which had to be supported mechanically and had a limited repertoire of motion, PETMAN will balance itself and move freely; walking, crawling, and doing a variety of suit-stressing calisthenics during exposure to chemical warfare agents.

PETMAN will also simulate human physiology within the protective suit by controlling temperature, humidity, and sweating when necessary, all to provide realistic test conditions.

The company notes that natural, agile movement is essential for PETMAN to simulate how a soldier stresses protective clothing under realistic conditions. The robot will have the shape and size of a standard human, making it the first anthropomorphic robot that moves dynamically as a real person does.

Boston Dynamics’s partners for the program are Midwest Research Institute (MRI), Measurement Technologies Northwest, Oak Ridge National Lab, as well as Smith Carter CUH2A (SCC) and HHI Corporation, which will construct the chamber. The work is being done for the U.S. Army PD-CCAT-TI.