- Title: ISRAEL: Israel's robotic industry reveals latest developments
- Date: 26th November 2008
- Summary: L!3) HERZELIYA, ISRAEL (NOVEMBER 20, 2008) (REUTERS) WIDE OF VISITORS IN ISRAELI ROBOTICS CONFERENCE EXHIBITION CLOSE OF MAN OPERATING THE 'VIPER' ROBOT, DEVELOPED BY ELBIT SYSTEMS, USING REMOTE CONTROL 'VIPER' ROBOT GOING DOWN SLOPE (SOUNDBITE) (English) STEPHAN HOLDIS, PROGRAM MANAGER FOR THE 'VIPER' ROBOT, ELBIT SYSTEMS, SAYING: "This specific robot was developed by th
- Embargoed: 11th December 2008 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Israel
- Country: Israel
- Topics: Science / Technology,Light / Amusing / Unusual / Quirky
- Reuters ID: LVA5CNURUC67FFHD42Q8APVMCVVM
- Story Text: Israeli made robots revealed in first local exhibition, ranging from early prototypes to production-stage devices.
Israel's leading robotic industries displayed their latest innovations, ranging from devices for combat use to medical use.
"I believe that given the strength of the Israeli industry in electronics and in software development and in communications, all we need is just to integrate all of it with hardware and we can be the super-power, the world super-power in robotics," conference chairman Professor Zvi Shiller told Reuters Television at the opening of the first ever exhibition on the sidelines of a two-day robotic conference in central Israel.
Among the devices displayed was the Versatile, Intelligent, Portable Robot, VIPeR, tailored for the Israeli military by Israel's Elbit Systems.
The lightweight platform robot, which can use cameras, microphones, sensors and even a small rifle, can be brought into combat zone, VIPeR program manager Stephan Holdis said.
"This specific robot was developed by the Israeli army, for it's own use for the dismounted soldier. That is the only robot today that can be carried into battle and intuitively operated even while they are shooting at you," said Holdis.
According to Holdis, the robot is also designed to detect explosive devices using a sniffer and can locate enemy ambushes.
The exhibition also showcased the latest ideas from the academic field, like Ben Gurion University's prototype for a magnetic climbing robot, which they say will be able to climb ships, bridges and other metal structures.
"First, it is dangerous to climb up. Second, it is difficult and takes a lot of time. So sometimes, it is easier, faster and safer to take a robot and put it on a ship, outside a ship in the middle of the ocean and look if something happened to the ship structure," said Amir Shapiro, head of Ben Gurion robotics lab.
Shapiro's students developed two additional climbing robots, the 'Cat Robot'- used to climb on textured surfaces using claws, and a 'Glue Robot' that can climb smooth surfaces like glass.
The 'Mule Robot' prototype, according to its student developers, which will be able to mobilize up to 100 kilograms (220 pounds) in terrain inaccessible to vehicles, could be used in combat zones to carry wounded and heavy equipment. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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