Audio By Carbonatix
Are we living in some sort of dystopian future? We don’t know, but we do know researchers at FIU have developed technology that have brought us one step closer to a real life RoboCop.
Researchers at the school’s Discovery Lab are working on a project called TeleBot that would allow disabled police officers to control a law-and-order enforcing robot.
Jeremy Robins, a lieutenant commander in the U.S. Navy Reserves, donated $20,000 out of his own pocket back in 2012 to kickstart the project. The idea is to help bring disabled cops and wounded veterans back into the force.
When news happens, Miami New Times is there —
Your support strengthens our coverage.
We’re aiming to raise $30,000 by December 31, so we can continue covering what matters most to you. If Miami New Times matters to you, please take action and contribute today, so when news happens, our reporters can be there.
Unlike RoboCop though, TeleBot will not be weaponized and is not designed to cause damage.
The 6 foot tall, 75-pound prototype allows an officer in a remote location to see whatever the robot sees. The officer would also be able to move the robot’s arms and head.
The prototype was tested for the first time publicly on FIU’s main campus, but the project, which includes work from undergrads, still has some way to go. Researchers need to tune-up the software and develop an exoskeleton for the robot.
Follow Miami New Times on Facebook and Twitter @MiamiNewTimes.
