Ironcub: A Humanoid Robot designed to fly like Iron Man

One of the robotics projects that I was now the most excited over the years IroncubeFrom Daniel Paved Artificial and mechanical intelligence laboratory At the Institute of Institute of Technology (IIT) at Genoa, Italy. Since 2017, Pucci has been developing a jet-propulsion system that will enable one Thief Robot (originally designed in 2004, which had an estimated shape and shape of a 5 -year -old child to fly like an iron man).

In summer, after about 10 years of development, Irnakb 3 achieved lift-off and stable flight for the first timeWith its four jet engines, it is picking it up 50 cm away from the ground for several seconds. The long -term vision is to serve as an disaster response forum for Irnekab (or like a robot), the confirmed tells us. In case of emergency such as floods or fire, Irnekab can quickly reach one place without worrying about obstacles, and then on landing, start walking for energy efficiency using your hands and weapons to move the debris and open the doors. “We believe in contributing to something unique in the future,” says paved. “We must find out new things, and it is a wild area at the scientific level.”

Obviously, this concept and practical use associated with it is really good. But cooling in itself is not usually enough to create a robot, especially a robot (possibly expensive) multi-year-year project that includes a group of students of robotics, so let’s see a little more about a flying robot baby about why it is actually something that the world needs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1bnhot4d5q In case of emergency such as floods or fire, Irnekab can quickly reach one place without worrying about obstacles, and then on landing, start walking for energy efficiency using your hands and weapons to move the debris and open the doors. IIT

Getting a humanoid robot is quite a challenge to talk about this type. Together, jet turbine climbing on the back and weapons can generate more than 1000 N thrsts, but because the engine takes time to spool up or down, the control robot has to come from the control robot as it transfers its hand-engine to maintain stability.

“What is not visible from the video,” confirmed us, “that the exhaust gas from turbines is at 800 ° C and almost supersonic motion. We have to understand that to avoid the fact that the cone of emission gases was affecting robots.”

Even if the exhaust does not end to melt the robot, there are still aircraft forces that were not actually an idea for humanoid robots till this point – in June, in June, groups of paved groups Published a paper in Nature engineering communicationUsing classical and learning techniques “offer a comprehensive approach to control models and aerodynamic forces (for humanoid robots).

“Exhaust gas from turbines is 800 ° C and almost supersonic speed.” —Daniele Pucci, IIT

Whether or not you are on board with the future vision of Pucci as a disaster-response platform, the derivatives of current research can be immediately applied beyond the humanoid robot. The algorithm for thrust assessment can be used with other flying platforms that rely on the thrust directed by the EVTOL aircraft. Aerodynamic compensation is relevant to humanoid robots, even if they are not aerial, if we expect they will be able to work when they are outside air.

More surprising, Pucci describes recent cooperation with an industrial company that is developing a new pneumatic gripper. “At a certain point, we had to estimate the force to control the gripper, and we realized that Dynamics looked really similar to jet turbine, and so we were able to use the same equipment for gripper control. It was a ‘ah-ha’ moment for us: Earlier you to do something crazy?”

What’s next for Inekab: Attracting talent and future enhancement

There is another important reason to do this, he says: “This is really good.” In practice, a really cool major project such as Irnekab not only attracts talent for a paved lab, but also keeps students and researchers emotional and engaged. I saw this for the first time when I visited IIT last year, where I found a similar vib Very coolThere it comes through tangible, broad, and immersive buzzing enthusiasm which comes through. It is projects such as Irnecab which can love students with robotics.

In the near future, a new jetpack with an additional degree of freedom will make the yaw control of the ironing, and the firm would also prefer to add wings to a more efficient long distance flight. But the logistics of the robot testing are getting more complex – only so far the team can go with their current test stand (which is on the roof of their building), and future progress will require coordination with the Genoa Airport.

This is not going to be easy, but as confirms clarifies, “It’s not a joke. It’s something we believe in. And some extraordinary feeling, or possibly historical, is something that is being remembered – which inspires us. And we are just starting.”