Robot dog goes to work

Meet Scar, the robotic dog undergoing training at the hands of its owner, Mines Nancy, a world class French engineering school.

Imported from the United States robotics firm, Boston Dynamics, the acquisition was made in mind of the school's wider ambitions. Mines Nancy is seeking to position itself in the vanguard of cybernetic innovation and pioneering scientific advances.

Customised to improve on its original design, engineers have equipped Scar to successfully negotiate demanding surroundings and deliver feedback on its findings. The 5 on board cameras it carries allow it to analyse and measure its surroundings, taking the dimensions of the places in its path.

The dog's engineering affords it much greater agility when compared to humanoid robots, allowing it to fare better over harsh terrain.

Now exploring possibilities for employing the robot in partnership with private and public bodies, Mines Nancy anticipates Scar will come into its own in complex settings which pose challenges for humans.

Its first deployment may well be with ANDRA, the French National Agency for the Management of Radioactive waste. The project involves boring large tunnels, where it is hoped Scar will function beyond human limits, in areas at the head of hazardous machinery.

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