New York – The IIT team led by Nikos Tsagarakis and consists of 27 robotic experts, average age 31, are responsible for the mechanical components, the software and the electronics of the humanoid robot Walk-man. The team took part in the DARPA Robotics Challenge, where the South Korean KAIST won first place, followed by the Americans of the IHMC and Tartan Rescue. The competition is sponsored by the Department of Defense of the United States; during the event, 24 hi-tech teams from the USA, Japan, South Korea, Germany and Italy competed against each other. The Italian team, represented by the Italian Technology Institute of Genoa, competed with Walkman, 1.85 meters tall, 120 kgs, made in Ergal (90%), titanium (8%) iron and plastic, built in 10 months. The prototype was developed in collaboration with the Research Center “E. Piaggio” of Pisa; the android is able to intervene in emergency situations in degraded and dangerous areas of the planet. Walkman knows how to drive and has soft hands that can grasp objects and use drills. (9Colonne)
