Grand Forks, ND (WDAY TV) – The Grand Forks Air Force Base is testing a new machine that could take the place of soldiers in war. The 4-wheel robot is being tried out in Grand Forks because of an electronic security system at the base.

“Our goal is to develop these technologies and we’ll transition it to a fielded program if the security forces and EOD decides to buy a robot it will go to a contract action and those systems will be shipped overseas.”

Short video available here

Filed under: RMP 400, Video

Congratulations to Tadokoro Laboratory at TOHOKU University
for successfully completing the Tsukuba Challenge ’09!

Otherwise known as the “Real World Robot Challenge”, this annual event in Tsukuba Japan requires robots to autonomously navigate a 1km (0.6mi) long course that they have not previously encountered.  Along the way, the robots must avoid everyday obstacles such as pedestrians and bicycles.  See below for photos of the Tadokoro Team and their RMP 200.

Filed under: RMP 200, autonomous mobile robot, balancing robot, RMP, robot competition