Robot Aids Wounded

The US military is developing a remote-controlled stretcher bearer to rescue soldiers wounded on the battlefield.

The 1.8m robot, nicknamed Bear - for Battlefield Extraction-Assist Robot - is designed to navigate bumpy terrain.

The prototype design is able to lift 135kg with one arm and climb stairs while holding a human-sized dummy. Its caterpillar tracks allow it to move while lying down so it can hide behind objects when moving soldiers to safety.

Bear's round face and teddy ears are designed to be reassuring. Gary Gilbert, of the US army's Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center, told New Scientist magazine that it was important when dealing with casualties to try to "maintain that human touch".