Popular Mechanics offers preview of Singapore's TechX robot challenge

We haven't heard a whole lot about Singapore's DARPA-esque TechX robot challenge since it first kicked off early last year, but with the final round getting underway on Sunday, Popular Mechanics has now thankfully offered up a preview of what's in store. Among those set to compete is the so-called Uni-Seeker bot (pictured above) from Nanyang Technological University, which is a heavily modded incarnation of iRobot's ATRV Junior robot, and one of only six bots that managed to make it through all the qualifying rounds. Others include the considerably more intimidating AZROBOWAR Sharp Shooter, built completely from scratch, and a pair of robots built on iRobot's popular PackBot platform. From the looks of it, they'll each have their work cut out for them in the big event, with them required to start outside and navigate their way inside a building, then climb a flight of stairs, travel up an elevator, touch a few targets, and then exit the building again -- without any human intervention, and in less than an hour. That $700,000 prize should provide plenty of motivation, though.

[Hellaphunt @ Sep 19th 2008 6:23PM]

I'm showing up in my Shaider armor.

[Ray @ Sep 20th 2008 1:58PM]

It'd be cool to enter a mechanical/steam powered machine that uses magnets to fuck up all the robots.

[Christy McGrory @ Sep 19th 2008 6:47PM]

I hope this is televised or something. Sounds interesting.

[Lowest Ranked @ Sep 19th 2008 8:04PM]

Judging by all these comments, I'd say VERY exciting.

[Mindlessnerd @ Sep 19th 2008 9:18PM]

gasp. Is that a female I see in the picture??
What heresy is this??!
(sarcasm)

[Braindead @ Sep 20th 2008 10:07AM]

Just for the info she aint the only girl involved!:)

[Craig B. @ Sep 19th 2008 10:37PM]

That photographer has terrible aim.

[Jack @ Sep 20th 2008 6:21PM]

I agree, absolutely terrible aim. what the hell was he thinking.

[Peter F @ Sep 22nd 2008 3:36PM]

"Little higher.... keep going......"

[mocax @ Sep 20th 2008 12:00AM]

I...am...very....disappointed.....

[Braindead @ Sep 20th 2008 10:05AM]

Dissapointed?