A Bizarre New Animal is Joining the Marines
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The U.S. military’s Defense Advanced Research
Projects Agency (DARPA) released an unusual video of its latest
robotic creation: a mule-like device that gracefully and quietly
walks over rugged terrain.
Officially named the Legged Squad Support System (LS3), the
walking “pack mule” prototype was designed to show that a legged
robot can unburden dismounted squad members by carrying their
gear, autonomously following them through rugged terrain, and
interpreting verbal and visual commands.
“We’ve refined the LS3 platform and have begun field-testing
against requirements of the Marine Corps,” said Army Lt. Col.
Joe Hitt, DARPA program manager. “The vision for LS3 is to
combine the capabilities of a pack mule with the intelligence of
a trained animal.”.
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