MIT Creates an Advanced Human-Controlled Robot

As fun as it may be to watch a robot playing ping pong, there are more serious reasons to build a human-like machine, particularly when it comes to rescue missions or maintenance operations in hazardous areas. A team of researchers over at MIT have created a humanoid robot that can be steered by a human pilot with incredible accuracy thanks to a series of advanced sensors. The human pilot uses an exoskeleton with hand controls and a camera that allows him to see “through the robot’s eyes.” The setup is so accurate that it was compared to “trying to put the human’s brain inside the robot”, but you’ll probably be more comfortable thinking about a Pacific Rim scenario.

Dubbed HERMES, the robot is equipped with a series of sensors that send feedback directly to the strapped-in pilot before analyzing his reflexes. According to these reflexes, the robot adjusts its position accordingly and learns from the experience in order to perform better in the future. HERMES can be used to punch through walls and turn off valves, but it can also perform domestic tasks such as pouring coffee without too much difficulty. According to a PhD candidate named Albert Wang, a future version of HERMES could blend autonomous control with human intelligence. If you ask me, that’s both incredible and scary to think about.

Thank you Popsci for providing us with this information.