Tokyo Robots Use Legs as Arms to Lift Patients, Transform into Tow Trucks

The two robots, developed at the University of Tokyo, coordinate to use their legs as manipulators to grasp and lift a simulated patient into the air. Advanced motion planning ensures balance and stability during transport. The design allows the robots to switch roles flexibly, such as carrying people in rescue scenarios. Additionally, the robots can transform into a tow truck configuration to drag heavy objects, demonstrating versatile locomotion capabilities. The robots are equipped with a reconfigurable body that allows them to switch between bipedal and towing modes.