Robotics

Tiny Panasonic EVOLTA robots set to take on Ironman Triathlon

Tiny Panasonic EVOLTA robots set to take on Ironman Triathlon
Panasonic's EVOLTA swimming, cycling and running robots will be attempting to complete the Ironman Triathlon in Hawaii
Panasonic's EVOLTA swimming, cycling and running robots will be attempting to complete the Ironman Triathlon in Hawaii
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Panasonic's EVOLTA swimming robot
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Panasonic's EVOLTA swimming robot
Panasonic's EVOLTA cycling robot
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Panasonic's EVOLTA cycling robot
Panasonic's EVOLTA swimming, cycling and running robots will be attempting to complete the Ironman Triathlon in Hawaii
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Panasonic's EVOLTA swimming, cycling and running robots will be attempting to complete the Ironman Triathlon in Hawaii
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While the Energizer Bunny may get all the fame, Panasonic's "Mr. Evolta" robot actually gets out and does things. In 2008, powered by two of the company's AA EVOLTA alkaline batteries, the 17 centimeter (6.69 inch)-tall robot climbed up a 1,640 foot (500 meter) rope suspended in the Grand Canyon. The following year, pedaling a miniature tricycle, he completed the "24 Hours of Le Mans" endurance challenge. Last year, he took a leisurely 500-kilometer (311-mile) stroll along the highway from Tokyo to Kyoto. This year's challenge is a little different - there will be three EVOLTA robots, and they will be teaming up to complete the 230-kilometer (143-mile) Ironman Triathlon circuit in Hawaii.

The challenge will include 3.8 kilometers (2.36 miles) of swimming in the open ocean, followed by 180.2 kilometers (111.97 miles) of cycling, and 42.2 kilometers (26.22 miles) of running. According to the video at the bottom of this page, separate robots will perform each stage. This is somewhat at odds with the press release, which states that robot creator Tomotaka Takahashi has designed three suits for the EVOLTA robot.

Panasonic's EVOLTA swimming robot
Panasonic's EVOLTA swimming robot

In any case ... the swimming robot/suit, which Takahashi says will have the most difficult task, will be performing the front crawl while buoyed by front and rear pontoon-like devices. The cycling robot will be assisted by training (sorry, "stabilizing") wheels on its bike, while the running robot will be inside a rolling hamster wheel-like gizmo.

Panasonic's EVOLTA cycling robot
Panasonic's EVOLTA cycling robot

Each robot will be powered by a set of three rechargeable EVOLTA AA batteries. The event will begin on October 23rd, and the robots will have one week in which to complete the circuit. They will run continuously, day and night, except for battery recharging periods.

View gallery - 3 images
2 comments
2 comments
Mr Stiffy
To be fair though - it\'s more a proof of the energy capacity of the batteries and a decent little drive train - instead of a miniature Terminator.
As far as robots go.... the articulation is kind of basic.
Selling Batteries and showing up the Energiser // Duracell (or whever) and their idiot bunny.
electric38
Super!! Where is the solar charger for this battery. And how much will it cost?
Get some size to these batteries so the new electric bikes and small cars can swap em out!
Let the energizer bunny show it's "clean power" side! Not more bunny turds.