SRI International Unveils Taurus “Bomb Defusing” Robot

SRI International, the company that brought us the DaVinci robo-surgeon has unveiled a new bomb diffusing robot today that goes by the name Taurus.

The mini robot (14 x 5 inches) will be used to detect and ultimately defuse IEDs. The device piggybacks on Talon or PackBot devices and uses high-definition 3D imagery and haptic feedback which can be felt through a specialized pair of gloves to help bomb technicians diffuse bombs from a safe distance.

The system is current only a prototype, however IEEE Spectrum believes it could reach the field by this Summer. Also promising is the fact that it works so well that some users have claimed they forgot they were in the field while using the device.