How will our soldiers be protected in the event of a chemical weapon attack? Boston Dynamics’ PETMAN (Protection Ensemble Test Mannequin) robot is being specifically developed for testing clothing to be worn by the U.S. Army in this scenario. 

With a hydraulic actuation system and articulated legs with shock-absorbing elements, PETMAN walks with a swagger. Under the control of an on-board computer and an array of sensors and internal monitoring systems, PETMAN is able to walk heel to toe (like a human),  will balance itself and move freely; walking, crawling and doing a variety of suit-stressing calisthenics.

PETMAN will also simulate human physiology within the protective suit by controlling temperature, humidity and sweating when necessary, all to provide realistic test conditions during exposure to chemical weapons.

PETMAN is being developed Boston Dynamics (a company spun off from MIT in 2002), in partnership with Measurement Technologies Northwest, Oak Ridge National Lab and MRI Global.

For more information about PETMAN visit www.BostonDynamics.com.