Next Time, No Chute: A BASE Jumping Robot
Seen here learning the first lesson of BASE jumping (you actually have to jump) the hard way, Paraswift the robot falls from the side of a building. Hopefully to its death (but I'll settle for a maiming).
The Paraswift uses a low pressure vortex that lets it stick to a smooth vertical surface, then once it reaches the prescribed height, it pops open its parachute and pushes off. The robot can carry a camera that shoots video on the way down, which is probably why Disney has a stake in the project.
The initial testing shows it jumping from only about 30 feet, but presumably that height can be scaled up.
Yeah but why? What's the actual application for BASE jumping robots? I'm sorry -- am I being too cynical? I apologize, Mondays are always hard for me. I don't know if I woke up on the wrong side of the bed or what, but it was definitely the floor.
Hit the jump for the 'oh your parachute just haaaaaad to open, didn't it?' in action.
BASE jumping robot saves you from breaking your neck [dvice]
Thanks to Clark, who agrees robots should only participate in sports against other robots and only to the death.
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