Robots prove their metal mettle at DARPA challenge
Culminating a year and a half of intensive preparation by teams from around the world, nearly two dozen robots strove to prove their full-metal mettle in simulated disaster zones during the two-day DARPA Robotics Challenge (DRC) Finals, held on the 5th and 6th June at the Fairplex in Pomona, California.
The outdoor, head-to-head competition was launched in response to a need that became glaringly clear during the nuclear disaster at Fukushima, Japan, in 2011: robots that could go into areas too dangerous for humans, to mitigate the impacts of natural or man-made disasters. The competition demanded that participating robots complete a difficult course of tasks such as driving alone, walking through rubble, climbing stairs and turning valves.
Participating teams represented some of the most advanced robotics research and development organisations in the world. They have been collaborating and innovating to develop the hardware, software, sensors and human-machine control interfaces to enable their robots to succeed and win part of the $3.5m in prizes.
Taking first place and the $2m in prize money was Team Kaist of Daejeon, Republic of Korea, and its robot DRC-Hubo. Coming in second and taking home $1m was Team IHMC Robotics of Pensacola, Florida, and its robot Running Man. The third place finisher, earning the $500,000 prize, was Tartan Rescue of Pittsburgh, and its robot CHIMP.
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