The advancement of robotics has proven to be of great help in many industries, especially the ones where workers have to risk their lives to do their jobs. Just as robots will soon be used to scope burning buildings, robotic dogs are being developed to respond to bomb situations.
Bomb-Disposing Robots
The UK government is making an effort to progress with robotic technology as it assigned 40 programmers to develop the best responses to bomb threats using AI. Under the same project, systems will be created that will work well with robotic dogs.
One robot in particular, Boston Dynamic's Spot, is already being considered as the device that the system will be integrated into. The problem is that it still lacks the level of automation where humans will no longer have to intervene.
This is where the Defence AI Center's (DAIC) event will come in, wherein the organized hackathon allows experts to work on the mentioned system for the robotic dog to be deployed in the field, as reported by Interesting Engineering.
Of all the 40 programmers, five teams were created with each having their own tasks. The event went on for three days as the AI experts worked on developing AI-powered abilities for the robot, which will be based on the already existing physical capabilities of the device.
The manufacturers managed to get to the point where the robotic dog is now able to climb stairs, avoid obstacles, or even maneuver through other complex terrain. In the span of two days, the programmers worked on strategies for the robot to navigate and overcome scenarios.
It was on the final day that the teams were able to demonstrate how far they'd come with the improvements to the 29 Explosive Ordnance Disposal & Search Group, as well as the British Army's tactical and technical experts on explosives.
DAIC Head Cdre Rachel Singleton RN stated that it has been "hugely exciting to see defense, industry, and academia work together on an AI and robotics solution to a real use case, particularly one that aims to increase the safety of our people."
Paradigm Robotics and Its Fireproof Robot
Bomb disposal is not the only life-threatening task that people get themselves into. With the innovation of Paradigm Robotics, its fireproof remote-controlled robot called FireBot could be used to scan through burning buildings to check for civilians or instability.
According to Engadget, it can withstand up to 650 degrees Celsius of heat. With that kind of temperature, firefighters can only last for about 15 minutes while the robot can go on for up to four hours. Its wireless technology allows users to control it from 0.9 miles away.
It's equipped with HD optical thermal imagers and can detect toxic fumes in the area like carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide. With this type of information, firefighters can be better prepared for what they're about to encounter when they have to go in.
The robot might be used as soon as early 2024. The problem is that it can cost $90,000 a bot, but other than it saving firefighters from injury and hospital bills, it can even save their lives. With the cost, there's a possibility that the robot would be leased instead.
