The Battlefield Extraction and Assist Robot (BEAR), was originally developed by researchers from Cambridge Research Laboratory in Boston, Massachusetts. It is a robot designed to transport and extract wounded soldiers from battlefields. It features an all-terrain track mobility platform and a strong hydraulic upper body. To aid its mission, it is equipped with night vision and optical cameras. It can also carry weapons, communication equipment, and support items.
The BEAR robot is equipped with a six-degree of motion system, which allows it to operate in any position between horizontal and vertical extremes. It also features a unique motion-capture technology that allows it to respond to human movements. The BEAR can also be controlled with vocal commands, and its sensors send data to the human operator. The BEAR is capable of operating in many challenging environments. It can also autonomously perform a range of tasks, including transporting semi-prone people from semi-prone to supine and carrying wounded soldiers.
The BEAR's top body is powered via hydraulic actuators. These allow the robot to move fully weighed people from supine up to prone. The upper arm has three hydraulic pistons: one that controls wrist flexion, another that controls elbow flexion, and a third that is located within the chest cavity.
BEAR's lower part is powered from a central battery, which can also be electrically activated. The system includes treads that run along both sides of the legs to provide maximum traction. The treads enable the BEAR to function in very difficult conditions, such slopes.
The BEAR's torso is flexible and can telescope up or down. This is useful when climbing stairs or reaching for high items. The torso's centre of gravity is also lower which can be helpful when balancing.
The BEAR's hydraulic system can also lift and move heavy people from supine position to upright. The robot's hydraulics also allow for the transport of a fully-weighted human from sitting to sitting, semi-prone and prone.
In addition to the hydraulic system the BEAR has two sets of independently powered tracked "legs". The articulated hand 40 has an upper arm 41 and a lower arms 42. The lower arm is attached to the arm by a wrist joint 45. The gripping piece 51 includes a thumb-like 52 that simulates human-like gripping positions.
BEAR can operate in a wide variety situations, from navigating through a building to walking up stairs to picking up wounded soldiers. The robot is mobile and can transport communications equipment, support gear and heavy loads. It also has a fire-resistant battery. BEAR's current lithium-ion battery can run for about an hour and can be charged with an optional onboard generator. BEAR will be able to run for longer periods of work if its battery pack is doubled in future.