[VIDEO] Pentagon's humanoid disaster-relief robot

This model of Boston Dynamics’ humanoid PETMAN robot was developed for the Defense Department’s Chemical and Biological Defense program. Boston Dynamics is also responsible for the BigDog and AlphaDog robotic mules developed through DARPA.

Should an attack take place, a robot could perform rescue missions that wouldn't be safe for a human -- if it can maneuver past rubble, navigate uneven spaces and retain its balance.

The robot is shown walking, squatting and flexing in a hazmat suit, albeit still connected to the test platform with wires until engineers work out the bugs. PETMAN has sensors under its protective suit that detect any harmful materials that leak through gear.