Science/Tech
Google’s Schaft Is The Winner Of Robot Battle Trials
After dominating Internet search and advertising, Google is all set to make its mark in robotics. The company recently presented its robot-dominating-robot called Schaft in the DARPA robot Olympics which dominated in all early stages of the event.
With its large square head, the two legged Schaft swaggered ahead in the competition and seen performing suitable tasks like using a fire hose and walking up a ladder.
In the competition, the machine carried out all eight rescue-themed task and outperformed all other participating 15 teams.
“What we realized was … these robots couldn’t do anything other than observe,” said Gill Pratt, programme manager for the Darpa Robotics Challenge according to BBC.
“What they needed was a robot to go into that reactor building and shut off the valves.”
Robot Schaft has been created by a Japanese startup which is owned by Google. After dominating the early stages, the robot, along with other robots of seven teams is set to take part in the finals of the competition which is expected to be held in about 12 to 18 months. The top scorers of the competition are now also eligible to apply for more Darpa funds.
“We will show the world what’s possible, what we need to work on, what it’s really going to take for robots to step up when disaster strikes,” said DARPA director Arati Prabhakar at the event according to Inquirer.
“The teams here today will help people see a better future with robotic capabilities and not just see it, but help build it.”
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