Boston Dynamics Reveals Humanoid PETMAN that's Wearing Protective Clothing [Video]

Boston Dynamics has now shown a type of robot - dressed up in hazmat suit and gas mask - that can walk, jump and even sweat like a human. The humanoid will be used to test for protective clothing in dangerous environment.

The robot PETMAN - Protection Ensemble Test Mannequin - has skin embedded with sensors that are used to detect chemicals leaking through the suit.

The U.S. military contractor had earlier posted a video about the headless PETMAN in 2011, where it was seen walking and doing push-ups like a human.

"Unlike previous suit testers that had a limited repertoire of motion and had to be supported mechanically, PETMAN balances itself and moves freely; walking, bending and doing a variety of suit-stressing calisthenics during exposure to chemical warfare agents," according to Boston Dynamics.

The latest version of the human-like robot can give researchers an accurate picture of the effects of the environment on a person.

The project is partly funded by the U.S. Department of Defense, The Huffington Post reports.

Another robot that's being developed by Boston Dynamics is the Atlas which has been designed to navigate any kind of terrain. The agile humanoid can use its upper limbs to lift and carry objects. Just like humans, the robot can walk through a busy or a congested area.

"Several copies of the Atlas robot are being provided as Government Furnished Equipment for the DARPA Robotics Challenge program with delivery scheduled in the summer of 2013," Boston Dynamic says.