PETMAN Robot

Boston Dynamics has released a video of its bipedal humanoid PETMAN robot, performing a variety of activities

If you were tasked with testing clothing that was designed to protect soldiers from chemical weapons, it goes without saying that you wouldn't dress an actual person up in those clothes, then fire chemicals at them. If you just put those clothes on an inanimate mannequin, however, it wouldn't provide any information on how effective those clothes were when in motion, or in a wide variety of body positions. Well, that's where Boston Dynamics' PETMAN (Protection Ensemble Test Mannequin) humanoid robot comes in. The self-balancing clothes-testing machine can walk, run, crouch, and even do push-ups. Today, PETMAN's creators released the first-ever public video of the robot being put through its paces - and it's pretty impressive.
A hydraulic actuation system moves PETMAN's various appendages, via an umbilical tether. The robot is designed to physically represent a "50th percentile male," with a weight of 80 kilograms (176 lbs) and height of approximately 1.75 meters (5.74 feet). It is also able to simulate respiration, perspiration and changes in skin temperature, in direct response to its level of physical exertion.

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HOLIDAY DESTINATIONS

The world's deepest subterranean hotel room

By Bridget Borgobello

07:26 October 20, 2011

11 Pictures

The eerie hotel suite accommodates two and is situated 155 meters (509 ft) below the earth's surface, amidst winding tunnels and deep cavities (image: Sala Silvermine)

Image Gallery (11 images)

ogle

Deep within the dark tunnels and cavity shafts of an old Swedish silver mine, guests can sleep in the world's deepest hotel suite. The Sala Silvermine is located in Sala (120 km/75 miles from Stockholm) and is believed to date back to the Middle Ages. For a long period of time the mine was Sweden's largest source of silver, and is now home to an underground hotel room, dining experience, museum, live theater and numerous exploration activities.

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The eerie hotel suite accommodates two and is situated 155 meters (509 ft) below the earth's surface, amidst winding tunnels and deep cavities. The suite is not suitable for claustrophobes, as the dark chamber features a double bed surrounded by three rock walls, candles, seating and little else.

Upon arrival, the daring guests receive a guided tour of the space to orientate themselves before being left alone for the night. A staff member remains available above ground for the duration of the stay, contactable by an intercom radio. Guests are also reminded that cell phones do not work this deep underground! There is a toilet located 50 meters (165 ft) below ground, however guests will have to use the bathroom facilities in the adjoining hostel above ground.

The mine also features two dining rooms in the vicinity of the hotel suite, where dinner guests can experience a banquet in a truly unique environment.

Above ground, in the southern area of the mine, lie several high wire adventure tracks, including ropeways, hanging bridges and other tree challenges. But if you'd prefer to go underground, adventurers have the opportunity to go cave diving. The cave dive offers a limited number of divers access to explore the mine's underwater environment. The water temperature is constantly a chilly 2 degrees Celsius / 35 degrees Fahrenheit, however divers braving the cold conditions are promised a "spectacular scenery" experience

Mr Roboto

Computer-assisted surgery (CAS), also known as image-guided surgery, surgical navigation, and 3-D computer surgery, is any computer-based procedure that uses technologies such as 3D imaging and real-time sensing in the planning, execution and follow-up of surgical procedures. CAS allows for better visualization and targeting of sites as well as improved diagnostic capabilities, giving it a significant advantage over conventional techniques. Robotic surgery, on the other hand, requires the use of a surgical robot, which may or may not involve the direct role of a surgeon during the procedure. A robot is defined as a computerized system with a motorized construction (usually an arm) capable of interacting with the environment. In its most basic form, it contains sensors, which provide feedback data on the robot’s current situation, and a system to process this information so that the next action can be determined. One key advantage of robotic surgery over computer-assisted is its accuracy and ability to repeat identical motions.

I was listening to NPR and they were discussing robotic surgery. I wanted to investigate what this was and how it was utilized. I believe I would feel more comfortable with computer assisted surgery than having a robot do surgery on me. What do you think?