The Ministry of Defense has introduced a robotic mannequin that will help test new chemical and biological suits for the U.K.'s armed forces.
The mannequin, called the Porton Man, is able to walk, run, sit, kneel and copy a soldier sighting a weapon, according to Daily Mail. The suits are designed to protect U.K. personnel from biological and chemical attacks, such as the nerve agent Sarin.
The Porton Man was made for the Defense Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) in Porton Down, Wiltshire, which is where soldiers' clothing systems are tested against chemical warfare agents.
The design for the current suits used by the armed forces was influenced by older mannequins that were used in the late 1990s, BBC reported. However, the new robot has a greater range of movement than old models.
Dr. Colin Willis, principal for the Chemical Biological Protection Group at the DSTL, that greater results will be achieved by putting "more realistic stresses" on the mannequin.
"It's really the materials and the fact he will be exposed to chemical warfare agents, so the material design has been very important obviously," Willis said.
The Porton Man has a movable head, unlike previous versions, as well as removable thumbs, which make it easier to put gloves on. The robot also has ankles that flex, Daily Mail reported.
The mannequin sits on a rotating turntable and is hit by wind from fans to be tested in windy environments. It also features software that lets scientists program movements to fit with different situations.
Jaime Cummins of DSTL's Chemical and Biological Physical Protection Group said the new mannequin is a lot lighter than older models, weighing 14 kilograms (30 pounds) instead of almost 80 kilograms (176 pounds), Daily Mail reported.
"It's a better, more realistic test system, and we are now in a better position and better place to design and develop the next generation of CB (chemical and biological) protective suit equipment," Cummins said.
Philip Dunne, minister of defense equipment, support and technology, expressed his confidence in the Porton Man, BBC reported.
"Increased investment in science and technology by the MoD (Ministry of Defense) is not only enabling battle-winning and life-saving equipment to be developed but also helping innovative companies like i-bodi Technology to develop cutting edge capability," Dunne said.
