Autonomous Shipboard Humanoid (ASH)

Autonomous Shipboard Humanoid (ASH)is a project at the United States Naval Research Laboratorywith researchers and engineers from Virginia Tech and University of Pennsylvania to create a ship-based robot for defense purposes. The robot is intended to navigate the ship and climb ladders, as well as fight fires and respond to other emergencies as well as visual commands from humans. It can currently walk, among other abilities.

The robot is expected to be aboard ships in 2013 for operational testing. Final plans call for additional software and armor.