Chimp is a disaster response robot with a four-limb drive that will be one of 25 robots competing in the DARPA Robotics Challenge final showdown. The three-year competition-inspired by the Fukushima-Daiichi nuclear accident-is motivating the development of robotic technologies for use in hazardous environments.
Chimp was created by a team at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to excel in unpredictable terrain. Clark Haynes, head of software, explained, “The greatest challenge of humanoid robots is balance. Chimp has static stability, so it’s never at risk of falling over and never actively balancing, because it doesn’t have to.” The robot has the ability locate a valve or power tool with its computer vision, then use motion-planning algorithms to grasp and operate the object.
In addition, despite its humanoid “legs,” Chimp doesn’t walk. Instead, it rolls across terrain on rubberized tracks, like a tank. This reduces the risk of toppling over. In tough conditions, it can drop to all fours for more stability.