Quince the Rescuer Robot

Quince is a rescuer robot prototype ready to respond to natural catastrophes (earthquakes, landslides, etc.) or work in buildings which have been damaged following explosions (gas, for example), terrorist or biochemical attacks. This robot can go on practically any terrain thanks to its 4 independent tracked legs and its body which also provides traction. Quince is 65 cm long, 48 wide and 22.5 cm tall. It weighs 26.4 kg. The prototype has a wide-angle camera for vision, microphones and speakers, as well as sensors to move forward while evaluating the terrain. It moves at a speed of 1.6 m per second. Quince is even capable of going up and down stairs. It's also resistant to water (watertight) and shocks (some patents are pending approval). Developed in Japan by the Chiba Institute of Technology and fuRo, this concept is intended to be on the market as soon as it's completely finalised. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2p2Uegzh7U http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jb0nmh0uazQ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bs83tOWBdA4