If there is a definition of “cool” that doesn’t include a huge robot that has a bulldozer for feet and can lift a half a ton with just one of its big-ass hydraulic arms, I refuse to accept it. But the fact that the T-52 Enryu’s operators use it to save people’s lives blows its cool factor right into orbit.
The Enryu was created in Japan back in ’04 to assist in post-avalanche rescue operations, but it can also accept a variety of modifications to handle such tasks as lifting heavy hazardous materials. With a bulldozer-style track system, it’s right at home on uneven and soft ground, and its two articulated hydraulic arms — complete with gripping “claws” — can lift up to a ton between them.
And yes, they are for sale to the general public: for about $500,000 you can live out your own Transformers/super hero/exo suit fantasy, amazing your friends at a backyard BBQ or saving a stranded motorist stuck in an blizzard without ever leaving the comfort of your own robot.
T-52 Enryu [Tmusk Robotics]
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3 Responses to It’s Just Cool: The T-52 Enryu Rescue Robot
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Sadly with all the ginormous SUVs on our highways a robot that can only lift 2,000lbs isn’t going to accomplish a whole lot.
Yeah…. 2k lbs isn’t a lot for auto work, but that thing is still damn cool!
Luckily the Japanese (and most Europeans) have much smaller cars. I’m sure this will come in handy anywhere not in lust with their big-arse autos 🙂