The IPEMS manikin will be a free-standing, self-balancing robotic manikin that simulates human physiology for realistic tests of protective equipment in a controlled environment. The manikin will balance itself and move freely – walking, aiming, crawling and doing a variety of suit-stressing calisthenics.

The IPEMS manikin will also simulate human physiology within the protective suit, controlling temperature and humidity, sweating when necessary, to provide realistic and thorough testing.

Measurement Technology NW is responsible for IPEMS’s skin surface and thermal control systems. Boston Dynamics will handle the robotic manikin internal design and fabrication. Smith Carter CUH2A will be responsible for the Containment Chamber design, and HHI Corporation is responsible for Exposure Chamber construction and installation. Midwest Research Institute (MRI) is the project’s prime contractor and overall systems integrator. Project completion (estimated) in 2011.