User:Scotty914/BEAR

The Battlefield Extraction-Assist Robot (BEAR) is a military robot under the development of Vecna Robotics that will be used for the extraction of wounded soldiers from the battlefield and various other dangerous tasks.



Project Origins
Vecna Technologies began developing the Battlefield Extraction-Assist Robot in 2005 at the Cambridge Research Laboratory near Boston, Massachusetts. The inventor of the BEAR is the president and CTO of Vecna Technologies, Daniel Theobald. Theobald's invention of the BEAR fulfilled the Army's desire to create a robot that could successfully extract a wounded soldier without risk to human life. In 2007, Congress approved a $1 million grant towards further development of the BEAR project.

Technological Developments
The BEAR's technology and features have improved dramatically since its early stages of development. The BEAR is currently in its ninth stage of development. Numerous features have been added since the BEAR's early stages, such as
 * Explosion and fire-resistant treads
 * Explosion and fire-resistant battery cells
 * Enhanced dexterity
 * Improved strength
 * The BEAR can lift 520 pounds, previous versions could only life 360 pounds
 * Independent legs for enhanced mobility
 * Steel Frame (4x stronger than its aluminum predecessor)
 * Steel framing around the hydraulic lines and battery cell

Project Funding
The BEAR project's primary funding source has been from Vecna's internal research and development funds. External sources of funding come from the Army, the Navy, the Air Force, and DARPA. The project also has numerous sponsors including Hydro-Force, Microchip and National Instruments. Additional funding for the BEAR and controls for the BEAR come from the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command's Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center.

Recognition


The 6th version of BEAR was featured in Time Magazine's Best Inventions of 2006

Testing
The BEAR has been tested at Fort Benning, Georgia at the U.S. Army Infantry Center Maneuver Battle Lab with soldiers. Over the past year, soldiers have worked with the robot to develop tactics and test its effectiveness in combat scenarios.

Future Developments
In the future the BEAR will be switching to a titanium frame to increase its lifting capabilities. The current model is version 7.2. The next-generation model of BEAR, version 8, is expected to arrive in 2012. Version 8.0 is expected to be substantially lighter than its predecessors, have a more sensors, and be able to accomplish more tasks on its own or autonomously. Vecna roboticists are working to improve the autonomy of the BEAR. They are trying to enhance the BEAR's ability to process high level commands, navigate and interact with its environment.

Controls
The initial versions of the BEAR are remotely controlled by a human operator who is able to see and hear through the robots sensors. Developments to the BEAR's AI have given it "semi-autonomous" behavior and the ability to understand and execute high level commands such as "go to this location" or "pick up that box." The BEAR is designed to ask a human for help if it's unable to perform the task.

A soldier can remotely control the BEAR through a device known as the iGlove. The motion-capture glove developed by AnthroTronix allows the soldier to make simple hand gestures to command the BEAR. Another remote control for the BEAR is called the Mounted Force Controller. It's a specialized rifle grip mounted on an M-4 rifle so soldiers can continue to command the BEAR without putting down their weapon.

Actuators
The BEAR uses hydraulic actuators to move its upper body. The hydraulic actuator converts the energy from hydraulic fluid into mechanical motion which causes the BEAR to move. This system uses solenoids to turn the hydraulic valves on or off. The hydraulic actuator is stronger, more energy efficient, and more mobile than pneumatic actuators and electric motors. The BEAR's track system is either electronically or hydraulically actuated from the power provided by the battery pack. The battery pack last for up to an hour, but future developments should double its charge capacity.

Sensors
The current version of the BEAR robot has a thermal and night vision camera as well as a microphone so it can be remotely operated.

Features
The BEAR's hands have 3 fingers that can exert 100 pounds of force each. However, they are also very sensitive and precise, the fingers are able to grasp an egg or screw in a light bulb without breaking it. The teddy bear face is meant to provide comfort and reassurance to those being rescued by the BEAR. The BEAR uses Dynamic Balance Behavior (DBB) technology, a balancing system that allows the BEAR to maintain balance while on its hips, knees, or standing up.

Specifications



 * Six feet tall
 * Hydraulic upper body lifts 520lbs
 * Steel torso
 * Maximum hydraulic exertion of 3000 PSI

Applications
The BEAR can carry a wounded soldier far away from a hazardous environment to a place where a medic can assess their injuries safely without risk to the medic's life. The BEAR is slim enough fit through doors and the BEAR's tracks enable it to climb stairs. The humanoid robot can perform dangerous tasks with no risk to human life.

Future Applications
Off of the battlefield the BEAR is ideal for rescuing people:
 * In a mine shaft
 * In areas contaminated with biological, nuclear, or chemical toxins
 * Inside an unsafe building after an earthquake, fire, mudslide, or explosion

The BEAR is able to enter dangerous environments such as these without risk to human lives. The robot may have industrial and commercial applications as well. The robot could pick up, carry, and safely move heavy inventory. In the healthcare field, the BEAR could lift and safely transfer heavy patients in hospitals. The BEAR could assist handicapped people and seniors living at home.

Robots Similar to the BEAR

 * Armored Combat Engineer Robot
 * BigDog
 * Dragon Runner
 * MARCbot
 * MATILDA (Military robot)
 * Multifunctional Utility/Logistics and Equipment vehicle
 * PackBot
 * Remotec ANDROS