Now turn your head and cough, please.
General Electric spent so many years prototyping mechanical manipulators, it’s surprising that we don’t have things like this sitting on the shelf at Home Depot. This particular picture is an early arm test from the Hardiman program (Human Augmentation Research and Development Investigation MANipulator). From 1966-1971 it was plagued with problems including servos not up to the task, and the inability to walk without falling down. The program was eventually scrapped.
At least it looks sturdy o.O<img src="http://tinyurl.com/c7gx5zk" width="1" height="1" />
How many GE lightbulbs does it take for Hardiman to screw in a lightbulb?
GE: We bring crudely mechanized Hellboy-wannabes to life.
It would take a Hellboy to haul that thing around for any length of time.
I came here to say that, am satisfied. But really this only works if it A. had vacuum tubes around the outside or was bright red.
Humans were so much cooler 50 years ago.
Steady trend downhill since then though.
For how long was that poor guy out on worker's comp after posing for this photo?
Considering the miniaturization of motors, servos, etc. that has occured since that time, I have to think some other company (if not even GE) is working on this type of thing right now. Or at least I hope so. I would love to be able to bend pipes with my "bare" hands.
Worst way to cup and cough ever…
He may want to practice with a hotdog before moving on to the main game.
I call it…. THE CLAW…