Superheroes come to life: Researchers are building a flying Iron Man robot

Automatons with jet engines could help inspect in and around buildings during natural disasters, say researchers

While robotics research has come a long way, the world is yet to see the sci-fi fantasy of sleek humanoid robots flying across the sky come to life. However, the day might not be too far when we giant automatons jetting from one place to another, saving lives and perhaps even advocating for peace - just like in the films. 

Although it is a bit of a stretch, the science-fiction dream of creating an aerial humanoid robot is closer to turning into reality than ever. Researchers at the Italian Institute of Technology (IIT) have been working on creating a triple-threat robot that will retain the ability to fly, walk and manipulate simple objects like doors and valves, reported IGN. 

The researchers believe that such a robot will be helpful in times of natural disasters to help scan the surroundings and minimise damage.

Cashing on the popularity of gigantic automated metal beings, thanks to pop culture favourites like Iron Man and the Iron Giant, IIT researchers have been working on plans to get the robots off the grounds, with experiments on augmented versions of an iCub robot already underway. 

The uncanny iCub is “the size of a five-year-old child,” says the IIT website. “It can crawl on all fours, walk and sit up to manipulate objects.” With the addition of some propulsion engines, the iCub becomes the iRonCub, which will, hopefully, be able to fly like Iron Man. 

There is still a lot of science to be sorted before the robot manages an Iron Man-esque flight. So, while the iRonCub isn’t exactly gliding through the air yet, it is taking things one metal step at a time.

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