Italian researchers are engineering a jet-propelled humanoid flying robot that could provide people with disaster response and lay the groundwork for developing flying human exoskeleton suits. This is just the latest example of what researchers are doing with engineering.  Robots are starting to do some incredible things like playing table tennis, doing backflips, and replicating human facial expressions. iRonCub is trying to one-up all the other robot prototypes being developed, but it might be redundant.

Robotics is rapidly advancing to create mechanized machines that carry out many tasks humans find remedial or potentially life-threatening. There are tons of tech companies developing a range of robots that do all sorts of things, but many of them have a hard time walking or going upstairs. Humanoid robots, with designs based on human anatomy and human maneuvers, have been shown to have the most promise in tests. By equipping a robot with human-like mechanics, they can more easily move their way around a human-centric world.

Related: Caltech's Leonardo Bipedal Robot Walks, Flies & Even Rides Skateboards

Taking robots a step further, humanoid robots that can venture into dangerous territory that humans usually can't or shouldn't reach are beneficial. Dynamic Interaction Control Lab based in Italy is blending the best of both worlds by developing a humanoid robot that could be capable of flying into severe conditions and disaster areas. Powered by a jet pack and equipped with quadrotors for maximum flight agility, iRonCub could circumnavigate devastated human infrastructure and still maintain human-like operations once it reaches disaster areas. In addition, the robot could potentially transport cargo or people to-and-from disaster areas — lessening the risk usually taken by first responders.

Next Step, Flying Humans

Richard Browning's Flying Suit

The researchers on the project hope that iRonCub could help develop successful flying exoskeletons for human beings. However, their technology has many similarities to Richard Browning's body-controlled jet engine suit, which successfully flew, while iRonCub hasn't set flight yet. Browning set a world record for the fastest 100m in his human jet-suit, astounding people and showing what his technology can do. While iRonCub and other ariel robots could mitigate any human injury or casualty while developing flying human suits, it might not be necessary as people are making way more progress on the technology, who aren't dissuaded by the dangers.

It's an exciting time to be alive, with advanced technologies like artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and robotics making phenomenal progress, transitioning from prototypes to real-life applications. Who knows if iRonCub will make it in the world, but the concept shows promise that it could aid humans in many endeavors. It's inspiring to see how humans are breaking beyond boundaries to reach new technological heights. Dynamic Interaction Control Lab is creating robots that move our understanding from science-fiction into reality.

Next: Singapore Says It's Short On Cops So It's Using Robots To Monitor Civilians

Sources: EngadgetYoutubeBBVA