Iron Man-Inspired Robot With Jet-Powered Feet Is a Master of the Splits

 Robotics engineers at Guangdong University of Tech's School of Automation in China developed a bipedal robot that can cross wide distances, thank to two small jet engines

The two-legged bot is outfitted with small jet engines that are attached to its feet. 

Robotics engineers at Guangdong University of Tech's School of Automation in China strapped two duct fans to the robot's feet which allow it to cross wider distances than it would have been able to previously.  

It also solves a major problem commonly experienced by robot developers. 

Most bipedal robots are only capable of making static movements like walking forward in short, controlled steps. 

When walking across a challenging terrain, or facing some kind of obstacle that they must step over, things become a bit more challenging and, at times, dangerous.

That's why many robots have been known to fall over when charged with more complex tasks or movements. 

Humans are able to twist and contort their bodies in order to keep themselves from falling, while robots don't possess that capability.  

But the Chinese robot, called Jet-HR1, isn't likely to fall because the jet engines are able to balance its center of gravity.

The robot, called Jet-HR1, is outfitted with two jet engines that are strapped to its feet. The jets only weigh 232 grams, but they can produce up to 2kg of thrust, according to scientists

Jet-HR1 is just 65cm, or roughly two feet, tall and weighs 6.5kg.

Its jet engines only weigh 232 grams, but they can produce up to 2kg of thrust, which is nearly a third of the entire weight of the entire robot, according to IEEE Spectrum. 

So while Jet-HR1 is incapable of flying through the air just yet, the engines still pack plenty of power that allow it to complete more tasks at an even quicker pace. 

The bipedal robot Jet-HR1 is just 65cm, or roughly two feet, tall and weighs 6.5kg

In a video, Jet-HR1 can be seen stepping over a large gap that's 37cm wide.

To get over the gap, the robot had to complete a step length that represented 80% of its leg, IEEE noted.

The robot extended a leg first, stretching it all the way to the other side, in a move that almost looks like a split. 

Once it's anchored on the other side of the gap, the robot then pushes off with its other leg, which gives it enough momentum to stand up almost completely straight.

In all, it took the robot less than a minute to maneuver the gap, which is much faster than it would have taken previously. 

Without the fans, Jet-HR1 would only be able to cross a distance that was 3.5-inches wide, according to Gizmodo.

Scientists built an 'Iron Man-inspired' robot with jet-powered feet https://t.co/leCEUQi32z #Tech #Drones #Robot pic.twitter.com/2BoJ0HDHiE

— World Tech News (@TechNewsTWS) March 20, 2018

Assisted by the jet engines, the robot could potentially cross distances that are up to 1.5 feet wide, which is roughly 97% of the robot leg's length.  

The researchers believe that the findings could be applied to many robots that face more challenging scenarios, like search and rescue missions.  

It could also lead to more futuristic applications, like flying robots powered by jet thrusters -- an image that inspired researchers involved in the latest study. 

'We were more or less inspired by science fiction,' Zhifeng Huang, one of the researchers involved in the study, told IEEE.

A video shows the Jet-HR1 crossing a wide gap between two surfaces. It took the robot less than a minute to maneuver the gap, which is much faster than it would have taken previously

WILL HUMANOIDS SOON BE SENT TO SPACE?

Currently, Valkyrie (R5) can walk on two legs and perform basic movements, such as holding and manipulating objects.

The program is a joint effort between NASA and the University of Edinburgh.

NASA hopes to equip Valkyrie - named after the female spirits of Norse mythology - to go to the red planet many years before astronauts are able to make the journey, for pre-deployment tasks and to maintain assets on Mars.

Valkyrie's human-like shape is designed to enable it to work alongside people 

University scientists will seek to improve the robot's handling and walking capabilities, and use Valkyrie's sophisticated on-board sensors to help it make sense of its environment, and improve its manoeuvrability.

Researchers will also aim to further develop the robot's ability to interact closely and safely with humans and other machines.

Valkyrie's human-like shape is designed to enable it to work alongside people, or carry out high-risk tasks in place of people. They have Iron Man-style glowing chest emblems that contain linear actuators to help with waist movement.

Their power source comes from a battery in a backpack that lasts for around an hour.

Sensors include sonar and LIDAR, and operators can see what the Valkyries are doing on cameras attached to their heads, arms, abdomens, and legs.

R5 is an update to its existing Robonaut, which currently on the 260-mile-high ISS, performing mundane cleaning chores and fetching things for the human crew.

Each leg - 4 feet, 8 inches long - has seven joints. Instead of feet, there are grippers, each with a light, camera and sensor for building 3-D maps.

NASA engineers based the design on the tether attachments used by spacewalking astronauts.

'In fact, we considered this idea two years ago, when we noticed the mobility limitation of humanoid robots when going through rubble and debris in an earthquake aftermath scenario'

'...That’s why we think a new method that enables the robot to maintain a quasi-static balance and produces a less significant impact while it steps over obstacles is necessary'

'And our idea was utilizing the external force of the jets to maintain the balance of the robot,' he added.

Huang noted that the jet propulsion technique could lead to further advancements in how robots are able to jump, teeter on one leg, perform 3D movements and reduce impact during 'dynamic motion.'