Robot Arm Is Rocket Powered, Has A Gun
Writing by Evan Ackerman on Tuesday, 21 of August , 2007 at 10:32 am
By Evan Ackerman
Maybe it’s not technically a robot arm, but this mechanical prosthetic (bionic, almost) arm in development by Vanderbilt University is scary looking enough to fit most of my personal criteria. Especially when it’s packin’ heat. And even when it’s not holding a gun it’s packin’ heat, since it’s powered by a hydrogen peroxide fueled rocket motor. When a cartridge of hydrogen peroxide is mixed with a catalyst, it transforms into high temperature steam, which drives computer controlled pistons to move the arm. One cartridge provides enough power for about 18 hours of normal use, and excess steam is vented through the surface of the arm as artificial sweat.
This prototype arm offers a number of advantages over current models, including substantially increased speed and strength and a far greater range of flexibility, allowing the arm to pour water our of a bottle and even throw a ball. Click here for a video of the arm doing just that. The designers are hoping to get a piece of DARPA funding to continue development as part of the Revolutionizing Prosthetics 2009 program.
[ Rocket Powered Prosthetic Arm ] VIA [ Physorg ]
Comments (1)
Category: Medical
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Comment by sean
Made Sunday, 14 of December , 2008 at 1:15 pm
i would like one of these for my lef arm with a gun built into it because my dream is to serve my country
Comment by Drumbo
Made Sunday, 29 of November , 2009 at 4:53 pm
sure
Comment by Drumbo
Made Sunday, 29 of November , 2009 at 4:59 pm
you just want a gun