Sarcos
Encyclopedia
Sarcos is an American
engineering and robotics firm based in the University of Utah
Research Park
in Salt Lake City, Utah
. It specializes in robotics
, microelectromechanical systems
, medical devices, artificial limbs, and powered exoskeleton
s. In 2006, Sarcos began receiving increased media attention for developing an exoskeleton, designed to be worn by a human and slated for production in 2008 for the United States Army
. In late 2007, American defense contractor Raytheon
purchased Sarcos.
, prostheses
, and human/computer interfaces
. In 2000, Sarcos accepted a grant from DARPA, the research arm of the United States Department of Defense
, to develop a design for a powered exoskeleton suitable for military applications. DARPA accepted the Sarcos design in 2006 and the firm began developing prototypes. In November 2007, Raytheon purchased Sarcos for an undisclosed sum, seeking to expand into robotics research and production.
powered by the engine. The finished suit is named the XOS Exoskeleton and weighs 150 pounds (68 kg). Popular Science reported that the XOS gives wearers the ability to lift 200 pounds (90.7 kg) "repeatedly with minimal strain". DARPA specifications call for the suit to allow lifting of up to 400 pounds (181.4 kg), but it is not known whether the XOS meets that criterion.
The army will use initial production models of the XOS for logistics and supply tasks such as repetitive lifting of heavy objects. Future models will have various combat customizations for firing heavy weapons or transporting wounded soldiers.
and other units for law enforcement organizations. Sarcos also builds robotic props for film
s and amusement park
attractions. For example, Sarcos has built some of the animated pirates seen in the Pirates of the Caribbean
attraction appearing at four Disney theme parks , the Wicked Witch of the West
audio-animatronic at Disney's Hollywood Studios
' The Great Movie Ride
, the robotic dinosaurs for Jurassic Park: The Ride at Universal Studios Hollywood
, and the robotic fountains for the Bellagio
casino in Las Vegas
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
engineering and robotics firm based in the University of Utah
University of Utah
The University of Utah, also known as the U or the U of U, is a public, coeducational research university in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. The university was established in 1850 as the University of Deseret by the General Assembly of the provisional State of Deseret, making it Utah's oldest...
Research Park
University of Utah Research Park
The University of Utah Research Park is located on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, United States.-History:In 1970, of land was declared as surplus by Fort Douglas and was set aside for the creation of the research park....
in Salt Lake City, Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah
Salt Lake City is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Utah. The name of the city is often shortened to Salt Lake or SLC. With a population of 186,440 as of the 2010 Census, the city lies in the Salt Lake City metropolitan area, which has a total population of 1,124,197...
. It specializes in robotics
Robotics
Robotics is the branch of technology that deals with the design, construction, operation, structural disposition, manufacture and application of robots...
, microelectromechanical systems
Microelectromechanical systems
Microelectromechanical systems is the technology of very small mechanical devices driven by electricity; it merges at the nano-scale into nanoelectromechanical systems and nanotechnology...
, medical devices, artificial limbs, and powered exoskeleton
Powered exoskeleton
A powered exoskeleton, also known as powered armor, or exoframe, is a powered mobile machine consisting primarily of an exoskeleton-like framework worn by a person and a power supply that supplies at least part of the activation-energy for limb movement.Powered exoskeletons are designed to assist...
s. In 2006, Sarcos began receiving increased media attention for developing an exoskeleton, designed to be worn by a human and slated for production in 2008 for the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
. In late 2007, American defense contractor Raytheon
Raytheon
Raytheon Company is a major American defense contractor and industrial corporation with core manufacturing concentrations in weapons and military and commercial electronics. It was previously involved in corporate and special-mission aircraft until early 2007...
purchased Sarcos.
History
Sarcos was founded in 1983 by current head Stephen Jacobsen and operated principally as a bioengineering research institution. By 1992, Jacobsen increased attention to commercial interests such as animated film propsTheatrical property
A theatrical property, commonly referred to as a prop, is an object used on stage by actors to further the plot or story line of a theatrical production. Smaller props are referred to as "hand props". Larger props may also be set decoration, such as a chair or table. The difference between a set...
, prostheses
Prosthesis
In medicine, a prosthesis, prosthetic, or prosthetic limb is an artificial device extension that replaces a missing body part. It is part of the field of biomechatronics, the science of using mechanical devices with human muscle, skeleton, and nervous systems to assist or enhance motor control...
, and human/computer interfaces
User interface
The user interface, in the industrial design field of human–machine interaction, is the space where interaction between humans and machines occurs. The goal of interaction between a human and a machine at the user interface is effective operation and control of the machine, and feedback from the...
. In 2000, Sarcos accepted a grant from DARPA, the research arm of the United States Department of Defense
United States Department of Defense
The United States Department of Defense is the U.S...
, to develop a design for a powered exoskeleton suitable for military applications. DARPA accepted the Sarcos design in 2006 and the firm began developing prototypes. In November 2007, Raytheon purchased Sarcos for an undisclosed sum, seeking to expand into robotics research and production.
Powered exoskeleton
In 2000, DARPA requested design proposals for a powered military exoskeleton. Of the 14 designs submitted, DARPA chose the one submitted by Sarcos. The Sarcos design involves a suit powered by a single engine, including a tank holding 24 hours of fuel, that sits near the wearer's buttocks. The suit gives the wearer increased strength and endurance through servo motorsServomechanism
thumb|right|200px|Industrial servomotorThe grey/green cylinder is the [[Brush |brush-type]] [[DC motor]]. The black section at the bottom contains the [[Epicyclic gearing|planetary]] [[Reduction drive|reduction gear]], and the black object on top of the motor is the optical [[rotary encoder]] for...
powered by the engine. The finished suit is named the XOS Exoskeleton and weighs 150 pounds (68 kg). Popular Science reported that the XOS gives wearers the ability to lift 200 pounds (90.7 kg) "repeatedly with minimal strain". DARPA specifications call for the suit to allow lifting of up to 400 pounds (181.4 kg), but it is not known whether the XOS meets that criterion.
The army will use initial production models of the XOS for logistics and supply tasks such as repetitive lifting of heavy objects. Future models will have various combat customizations for firing heavy weapons or transporting wounded soldiers.
Robotics
Since its inception in 1983, Sarcos has produced a wide variety of robotic devices for different applications. It builds undersea salvage robots used by the United States NavyUnited States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
and other units for law enforcement organizations. Sarcos also builds robotic props for film
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
s and amusement park
Amusement park
thumb|Cinderella Castle in [[Magic Kingdom]], [[Disney World]]Amusement and theme parks are terms for a group of entertainment attractions and rides and other events in a location for the enjoyment of large numbers of people...
attractions. For example, Sarcos has built some of the animated pirates seen in the Pirates of the Caribbean
Pirates of the Caribbean (theme park ride)
Pirates of the Caribbean is a log flume type of dark ride at the Disneyland, Magic Kingdom, Tokyo Disneyland, and Disneyland Paris theme parks....
attraction appearing at four Disney theme parks , the Wicked Witch of the West
Wicked Witch of the West
The Wicked Witch of the West is a fictional character and the most significant antagonist in L. Frank Baum's children's book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz...
audio-animatronic at Disney's Hollywood Studios
Disney's Hollywood Studios
Disney's Hollywood Studios is a theme park at the Walt Disney World Resort. Spanning 135 acres in size, its theme is show business, drawing inspiration from the heyday of Hollywood in the 1930s and 1940s...
' The Great Movie Ride
The Great Movie Ride
The Great Movie Ride is an attraction at Walt Disney World's Disney's Hollywood Studios theme park. It is a dark ride which takes guests through scenes from famous films throughout motion picture history....
, the robotic dinosaurs for Jurassic Park: The Ride at Universal Studios Hollywood
Universal Studios Hollywood
Universal Studios Hollywood is a movie studio and theme park in the unincorporated Universal City community of Los Angeles County, California, United States. It is one of the oldest and most famous Hollywood movie studios still in use...
, and the robotic fountains for the Bellagio
Bellagio (hotel and casino)
Bellagio is a hotel and casino located on the Las Vegas Strip in the Paradise area of unincorporated Clark County, Nevada, USA and a member of The Leading Hotels of the World. It is owned by MGM Resorts International and was built on the site of the demolished Dunes hotel and casino.Inspired by the...
casino in Las Vegas
Las Vegas Strip
The Las Vegas Strip is an approximately stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard in Clark County, Nevada; adjacent to, but outside the city limits of Las Vegas proper. The Strip lies within the unincorporated townships of Paradise and Winchester...
.