Nancy (AFP)

It is a four-legged robot wandering in the corridors of the École des Mines de Nancy and responding to the sweet name of Scar: this technological marvel is preparing to acquire the abilities that will allow it to explore places too dangerous to the man.

This "electronic doggie", which teachers or school pupils sometimes stroke "like a real animal", has astonishing qualities: in a specific area he goes down the stairs alone, auscultates an object then climbs back up, avoiding obstacles if he there is.

"It is the cutting edge of science", marvels Paul Lecomte, engineering student in third year, remote control with screen in hand to guide and program this robot-pooch that he moves forward, up, down or put on the back as if he wanted caresses ... Scar is then able to get back on his feet.

"It's funny, he looks like an animal and you get feelings. It's anthropomorphism," smiles Quentin Helaine, research engineer at the school and "master" of Scar.

Scar, the villain in the "Lion King" for students, but also acronym for "Complex robotic assistance system", was bought for 80,000 euros from the American company Boston Dynamics.

"It's much cheaper than a robot intended for research, 600,000 euros", notes Pascal Vaxivière, lecturer and one of the robotics managers at the school where Scar rubs shoulders with his fellow humanoid "Pepper", "Nao "and" Minoxide ".

- "Technological rupture" -

"The dog is man's best friend. A robot-dog, mobile on all fours is the best solution to make it versatile in very rough terrain" in comparison with "humanoid robots which cause other constraints", underlines Mr. Helaine.

For teachers who want to both "guarantee excellence for their students and create" links with companies ", Scar marks a" technological breakthrough in robotics ", especially since it will be able to" do countless things " if we "develop applications".

Andra (National Agency for the Management of Radioactive Waste) was the first to want to rely on the capacities of Scar, whose development it is financing to the tune of 200,000 euros over three years.

For its controversial nuclear waste underground burying project in Bure (Meuse), the robot will be sent between the working face and the head of the tunnel boring machine which digs the galleries, which is prohibited for humans because it is too dangerous.

The operator can stay behind, explains Professor Laurent Garletta, another "master" of Scar.

On the program, surveillance thanks to the five cameras, but also telemetry, tests, cartography, measurements ...

- "Petit Poucet" -

Scar operating from the wifi network, the idea is that it installs its own terminals in "the galleries, like little Thumb", explain the researchers.

As for the autonomy, it will be a question of reinforcing the batteries to exceed the 1:30 to 3:00 available according to the applications.

The Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) also wants to see Scar's capacities: it will bring him 30,000 euros to carry out tests in its center in Valduc (Côte d'Or).

Designed for the US military, this robot can now receive a host of civilian applications.

Two copies have already been acquired in Luxembourg by construction companies, according to the school.

"It all depends on the applications you install," notes Mr. Vaxivière.

In Bangkok, it is one of them who distributed hydroalcoholic gel in a shopping center under the dumbfounded gaze of customers.

"It could also help the visually impaired", imagines Paul Lecomte.

The yellow device, weighing 32.5 kg and about 1 m long, drawn a bit like a leggy Labrador, however has one flaw: it has no head.

But this flaw could be corrected in the coming months.

Engineers have artistic projects and even want to make him dance.

© 2020 AFP