Rise of the Russian robo-soldier: Iron Man military hardware is one step closer to reality as Putin's scientists reveal 'Ivan the Terminator'
- Its purpose is to 'replace the person in battle or emergency areas where there is a risk of explosion, fire or high background radiation'
- Robot is currently remote controlled by an operator fitted with sensor suit
- Among its skill set, 'Ivan' can simulate driving a car and avoid obstacles
- It will eventually carry out a 'maturity test' before it performs more high-level tasks
This metal marvel might just be the soldier of the future... but far from being science fiction, this one is real.
Affectionately known as Ivan the Terminator, Project Iron Man is a humanoid military robot currently being developed in Russia.
For years, the country has been trying to keep up with the U.S. and China, which are building robots, drones and other military hi-tech machines with great success.
The aim of the Russian robot soldier is to 'replace the person in the battle or in emergency areas where there is a risk of explosion, fire, high background radiation, or other conditions that are harmful to humans', Komosomolskaya Pravda reported.
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This humanoid military robot is currently being developed in Russia. Its purpose is to 'replace the person in the battle or in emergency areas where there is a risk of explosion, fire, high background radiation, or other conditions that are harmful to humans'
Designed by Russia's Foundation for Advanced Studies, Ivan is currently remote controlled by an operator (from up to several miles away) wearing a special suit, which contains sensors in the neck, hands and shoulders. This enables the robot to simulate driving a car
Designed by Russia's Foundation for Advanced Studies, Ivan is currently remote controlled by an operator (from up to several miles away) wearing a special suit, which contains sensors in the neck, hands and shoulders.
This enables the robot to accurately copy the movements of a human.
It can even drive a car - scanning the road for obstacles - albeit via a driving simulator computer screen.
Ivan is put through its paces on a treadmill. For years, Russia has been trying to keep up with the U.S. and China, which are building robots, drones and other military hi-tech machines with great success
Rise of the machines? There is a fear that one day, Ivan and his robo-warrior comrades will become self-aware and subjugate humans to their 'iron'will
A longer term goal is for the robot to carry out a 'maturity test' set of actions, including: complete an obstacle course; get into a car and start it; and enter a room and turn on the lights.
And, ultimately, no doubt, fire a gun and throw a grenade.
Then there is the elephant in the room: the 'rise of the machines' - the fear that one day, Ivan and his robo-warrior comrades will become self-aware and subjugate humans to their 'iron'will.
However, the (relatively) more realistic question that springs to mind is: just what would Vladimir Putin do if he got his hands on an army of them?
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