Through the streets of Phoenix, Arizona, “walks” a sweating robot named Andi, simulating the strain extreme temperatures put on human beings.
Andi resembles a crash test dummy, but beneath its exterior lies a wealth of technology. Developed by researchers in Arizona, this innovative humanoid robot aims to better equip humans against the increasing threat of extreme heat due to climate change.
For weeks, Arizona’s capital, Phoenix, has endured temperatures surpassing 43 degrees Celsius. This extreme heatwave could be a harbinger of what awaits humanity in many parts of the world due to climate change.
While the scorching heat poses life-threatening risks for people, it is just another day for Andi, the robot, to take a leisurely stroll. Accompanied by a mobile weather station, Andi precisely measures the amount of heat radiated by surrounding buildings.
“Andi – Advanced Newton Dynamic Instrument” is the world’s first thermal mannequin regularly sent outdoors to gauge its heat absorption from the environment, says Konrad Rykaczewski, an expert in mechanical engineering at Arizona State University. This robot allows researchers to “realistically assess how humans react to extreme climates” without jeopardizing their health.
Andi, an acronym for “Advanced Newton Dynamic Instrument,” conceals beneath its epoxy resin and carbon fiber shell a network of interconnected sensors that demonstrate how heat disperses within its body. The robot features an internal cooling system and pores enabling it to breathe and sweat. With 35 independent thermal zones, it sweats similarly to a human, most profusely on its back.
The team around Rykaczewski invested around half a million dollars in this advanced dummy. While there have been other heat robots, they were mainly used by sportswear manufacturers in thermal chambers to test performance apparel.
Through Andi, the research team hopes to gain a better understanding of how the human body reacts to overheating – a phenomenon that will affect more people due to climate change. Ethically, it would be impossible to “measure temperature increase in a person experiencing heatstroke,” says Rykaczewski.
Jennifer Vano, a climate researcher involved in the project, explains that Andi can be reprogrammed repeatedly to study the impact of heat on various demographic groups. For instance, older individuals sweat less than younger ones. Athletes, sick individuals, or severely overweight individuals require specific protective measures. With Andi, researchers can simulate the heat regulation for each individual.
While Andi, the sweating robot, may seem peculiar, it has the potential to play a significant role in preparing us for a future with more frequent heatwaves caused by climate change. By teaching us how to better adapt to these extreme conditions, Andi becomes a trailblazer in climate change adaptation and a symbol of scientific ingenuity confronting this global challenge.
Photo & Video: AFP / Reuters
