How hot it is: Scientists from Arizona came up with a robot that will sweat instead of us
ANDI is a global warming fighter and your new sunbathing partner.
Scientists from Arizona have created a unique robot ANDI (Advanced Newton Dynamic Instrument), capable of withstanding heat, reproducing the processes of breathing, sweating and chills. The technology allows us to understand how the human body reacts to extreme climatic conditions and how to adapt to them. At the same time, people themselves are not at risk.
The southwestern state’s capital, Phoenix, is currently experiencing the longest heat wave in its history, with the thermometer hitting 43℃ on Friday for the 22nd day in a row. This is a clear sign of impending global warming. For humans, such heat is deadly, but for ANDI, these are excellent conditions.
“This is the first outdoor thermal manikin in the world that we regularly take outside to measure how much heat it receives from the environment,” says mechanical engineering professor Konrad Rikaczewski.
At first glance, ANDI looks like a crash test dummy. However, under its “skin”, made of epoxy and carbon fiber, lies a treasure trove of technology. Complex mechanisms are integrated into the robot, including a network of linked sensors that evaluate the heat spreading through the body.
ANDI has an internal cooling system and pores that just allow it to “breathe” and “sweat”. The system includes 35 independent thermal zones. Like humans, a robot sweats more on its back. Scientists also hope that ANDI will help to better understand the nature of solar and thermal shocks, which are not yet fully understood.
“How to modernize what we wear? How to change our behavioral patterns to adapt to such temperatures? asks Rikachevski.
The robot is accompanied by a MaRTy mobile weather station that measures heat reflected from buildings. The team is also developing sensors that can be used on construction sites to adjust work hours based on actual heat and worker health, rather than general weather conditions. The findings will help rethink urban planning.
Now, perhaps, if global warming becomes serious, we will already have a clear plan of action.
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