THOR, humanoid robot, Robotics & Mechanisms Laboratory (RoMeLa) at Virginia Tech, Blacksburg , Virginia, USA

[Airicist]

Developers and manufacturers:

Robotics & Mechanisms Laboratory (https://pr.ai/showthread.php?2936) (RoMeLa)

Robotis (https://pr.ai/showthread.php?2823), Seoul, Korea

JK Han (https://pr.ai/showthread.php?6093)

L3Harris Technologies, Inc. (https://pr.ai/showthread.php?6096)

[Airicist]

https://youtu.be/LvzMq1QHhwo

THOR: Tactical Hazardous Operations Robot

Published on Jul 10, 2013


THOR is an electromechanical, bi-pedal humanoid platform that has been designed to participate in the DARPA Robotics Challenge (Track A), which focuses on the development of robots for use by first responders in disaster response scenarios. At a high-level, the following four elements define the major accomplishments and features of the THOR platform:

[Novel Leg and Actuation Design]
The THOR platform uses a custom-built series elastic actuator that is extremely light weight (550 grams) and extremely powerful (peak force of 2000 N). These actuators are coupled with mechanical linkages which provide THOR's joints with nearly 100% mechanical advantage throughout a range of motion greater than that of a human.

[Efficient Design, Power Efficient Actuators]
The THOR platform is capable of over an hour of untethered operation under normal conditions. The efficiency of the linear actuators and the control system used to drive those actuators allows the THOR platform to use minimal amounts of power during locomotion while not diminishing the strength of the robot.

[Intuitive Manipulation and Teleoperation Approach]
The Human Machine Interface and Manipulation System have both been designed with first responders as the intended end user. The HMI uses a model predictive teleoperation approach so that even when bandwidth and connectivity to the robot degrades, operators can continue to use the platform. The manipulation control system builds off years of testing and experience with Harris's RedHawk Haptic Feedback device to create an interface which users will be able to pick up quickly and use effectively.

[Spectrum of Autonomous Behaviors]
THOR employs sliding autonomy to intelligently adapt to bandwidth and environmental constraints. THOR's user interface is designed to allow a finer degree of control over autonomy than is employed by traditional systems.


https://youtu.be/j_YSeOa9yAQ

THOR-MANG DEMONSTRATION AT ROBOTWORLD 2013

Published on Nov 10, 2013

[Airicist]

https://youtu.be/VbkgSmLaW7Y

Meet THOR: DARPA Robotics Challenge

Published on Aug 14, 2014


THOR is a bipedal humanoid robot designed for competition in the DARPA Robotics Challenge. THOR is electromechanical, using series elastic linear actuators in the lower body and industrial grade servos for the upper body and manipulators.

[Airicist]

https://youtu.be/JXRyQj8Ol3U

Thor-Mang, the new humanoid of Robotis

Published on Jan 8, 2015


This humanoid has been designed to rescue and perform searching tasks provided by its several cutting edge technologies, including Dynamixel PRO servos, coordinated dual-arm control, 3D environment perception and mapping, and an intuitive user interface for autonomous and semi-autonomous operation.

[Airicist]

https://youtu.be/JhWYYuba1nE

Team THOR takes the 2015 DARPA challenge

Published on Jun 9, 2015


The DARPA Robotics Challenge brought 23 competing teams to the Pomona Fairplex where these mechanical first responders had to complete an obstacle course that was designed to simulate a disaster building. The fails and falls were spectacular, as were the successes. In the garages, a hybrid team from UCLA and Penn finessed software code and made repairs on its humanoid entry.

Article "UCLA’s humanoid robot flexes its muscles at international competition (http://newsroom.ucla.edu/stories/uclas-humanoid-robot-flexes-its-muscles-at-international-competition)"
Professor Dennis Hong and a team of students competed with their humanoid robot to build a robot that can go places humans cannot

by Judy Lin and Bill Kisliuk
June 9, 2015

[Airicist]

https://youtu.be/GuXLvrBrO3s

Robots playing soccer at RoboCup 2015 is like watching toddlers learn to kick

Published on Jul 22, 2015


Perhaps in the not-too-distant future, the World Cup may be won by small, adorable robots — ones that have already embarked on a rigorous athletic training at this year's RoboCup 2015 competition held in Hefei, China.

Article "THOR kicks to the top of robot soccer (http://newsroom.ucla.edu/stories/thor-triumphs)"
UCLA/UPenn team takes top prize at 2015 RoboCup in China

by Bill Kisliuk
July 23, 2015

[Airicist]

https://youtu.be/GRbk-Uv_s_o

Team SNU

Published on Aug 5, 2015

[Airicist]

https://youtu.be/FdDIP8Sn1eQ

THORMANG3 - basic walking based on path planning

Published on May 17, 2016