Honda's humanoid disaster robot is designed to search through crumbled buildings

In its secretive R&D department, Honda has been developing a bipedal disaster robot designed to climb through crumbled buildings.

Honda unveiled the prototypical E2-DR robot last week at the 2017 International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems in Vancouver, reports IEEE Spectrum. As the Honda video shows, the E2-DR robot can climb ladders, ascend stairs, crawl through tight spaces, and manipulate its body to squeeze through cracks. 

The five and a half-foot tall E2-DR is specifically designed to enter extreme environments that humans can't — or shouldn't. According to Honda, these robots will act as first responders "in social infrastructures, such as plants," as they'll be mostly immune to toxic chemicals and noxious air. The robots are also slash-proof, dust-proof, and can withstand water. Read more...