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Boston Dynamics unveils 'nightmare-inducing' hybrid robot (video)
theguardian.com ^ | Alex Hern

Posted on 02/28/2017 7:23:43 AM PST by RoosterRedux

Google-owned robotics firm and “nightmare” factory Boston Dynamics has released video of its latest creation: a two-wheeled, four-legged hybrid robot named Handle.

The robot can stand on four legs, like Boston Dynamics’ previous creations such as BigDog and Spot. But at the end of its back two legs are two stabilised wheels, which let it stand up vertically and roll around at speeds of up to nine miles per hour. Think “Terminator riding on a hoverboard” and you’ll have a pretty good idea of the impression Handle gives off.

Boston Dynamics says the reason for the hybrid design is the simplicity it affords: rather than needing the complex joints of the fully-quadrupedal bots, Handle’s wheels can speed it around with little difficulty, while its front legs can be used for balance and for carrying loads of up to 50kg.

“Handle uses many of the same dynamics, balance and mobile manipulation principles found in the quadruped and biped robots we build,” Boston Dynamics said, “but with only about 10 actuated joints, it is significantly less complex. Wheels are efficient on flat surfaces while legs can go almost anywhere: by combining wheels and legs, Handle can have the best of both worlds.” The video does not, however, show Handle walking rather that scooting around on its wheels.

(Excerpt) Read more at theguardian.com ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: allmvmebelongtous; google; koalaoil; molassesmiasma; monkeyfacerules; robocalypse; robotics; robotoverlords; undeadthread; undeadthreadhere
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To: Darksheare

Tom the Son totally rocks the Givenchy outfit, etc.

Anything your killer robot can do, Tom the Son can do it to more terrifyingly nightmarish effect.


61 posted on 03/01/2017 6:56:07 AM PST by Tax-chick ("I prefer to think of myself as ... civilized." ~Jonathan Q. Higgins)
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To: FreedomPoster; COUNTrecount; Nowhere Man; FightThePower!; C. Edmund Wright; jacob allen; ...
;

At no point in history has any government ever wanted its people to be defenseless for any good reason ~ nully's son

The biggest killer of mankind

Nut-job Conspiracy Theory Ping!

To get onto The Nut-job Conspiracy Theory Ping List you must threaten to report me to the Mods if I don't add you to the list...


62 posted on 03/01/2017 7:16:56 AM PST by null and void (Drain the swamp! Get rid of the mosque-itoes!)
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To: Tax-chick

But it is morally wrong to clone and mas produce Tom.
Mass producing the bots isn’t currently morally unacceptable.


63 posted on 03/01/2017 7:25:19 AM PST by Darksheare (Those who support liberal "Republicans" summarily support every action by same.)
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To: null and void

Consider yourself threatened. But rather than turn you into the Mods (what a hideous thought, two or more of you as a mod) I’ll invite you to sit in the ramada to visit with the Peeps while we toast the remains of Chuck.

So please, oh please, add me to this nut-job conspiracy ping list. Surely I fit ONE of those categories... ;o]


64 posted on 03/01/2017 7:42:28 AM PST by Monkey Face (If you don't read the papers, you're uninformed; If you do read them, you're misinformed. Mark Twain)
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To: Lazamataz

Can you txt me your sub-routine for sammich making? My robot still cant seem to get the mustard logarithm right.


65 posted on 03/01/2017 7:42:48 AM PST by Delta 21 (The minority demands NOTHING !)
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To: Tax-chick

My day was ruined almost from the moment I got out of the shower.

Now I’m going to go to Smith’s and see what I can find for a wholesome lunch that isn’t frozen. They may have some fresh hugh chicken enchiladas. If so, I can share them with Charlie.


66 posted on 03/01/2017 7:45:43 AM PST by Monkey Face (If you don't read the papers, you're uninformed; If you do read them, you're misinformed. Mark Twain)
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To: Darksheare; All

And hot chocolate (laced with rum, if you prefer, and Irish Whiskey in the coffee for the Irish, since this is March) and as always, warm chocolate chip cookies. They are all waiting for you on the mezzanine, on the way to the library.

And now, I can unpack and get settled until the next time we move. (If we’re lucky enough to do it in a month...)


67 posted on 03/01/2017 7:49:01 AM PST by Monkey Face (If you don't read the papers, you're uninformed; If you do read them, you're misinformed. Mark Twain)
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To: avenir

Not a movie fan for the most part, but I really enjoyed Ex Machina. Was there a bit of a moral tale in there as well?


68 posted on 03/01/2017 7:50:54 AM PST by Don W ( When blacks riot, neighborhoods and cities burn. When whites riot, nations and continents burn.)
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To: glock rocks

EEEEP!!! We’re all gonna DIE!

(What a scary thing a household robot is...) :o|


69 posted on 03/01/2017 7:51:02 AM PST by Monkey Face (If you don't read the papers, you're uninformed; If you do read them, you're misinformed. Mark Twain)
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To: Delta 21
And she told me that she remembered playing with dolls when she was a kid(?)

Pretty wierd stuff, I know, coming from a brand new robot I wonder how long the warrantee is good for?


70 posted on 03/01/2017 7:51:23 AM PST by Delta 21 (The minority demands NOTHING !)
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To: Don W

Yes. Definitely.


71 posted on 03/01/2017 7:56:44 AM PST by avenir (I'm pessimistic about man, but I'm optimistic about GOD!)
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To: null and void

All the love of technology is not well thought out


72 posted on 03/01/2017 8:28:14 AM PST by Nifster (I see puppy dogs in the clouds)
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To: Monkey Face

I don’t even trust my Keurig. They all belong to the same union.


73 posted on 03/01/2017 8:52:17 AM PST by glock rocks (... so much win!)
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To: Monkey Face

Sorry about your day! I survived going to Mass with five Offspring. Sally is still at Jamie’s getting her hair worked on. Latest report is that Jamie isn’t happy with how the ends look and wants to do them again. She’s a perfectionist at her craft.


74 posted on 03/01/2017 9:52:44 AM PST by Tax-chick ("I prefer to think of myself as ... civilized." ~Jonathan Q. Higgins)
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To: RoosterRedux

I want one. I will call it “Fluffy”.


75 posted on 03/01/2017 9:56:38 AM PST by Dead Corpse (A Psalm in napalm...)
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To: glock rocks

My robot will kill your robot... Then my dog will pee on what’s left over...

Life goes on.


76 posted on 03/01/2017 10:00:23 AM PST by Dead Corpse (A Psalm in napalm...)
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To: Darksheare

Did someone put them in the same room?

I’m lost and there’s a life-form I don’t recognize tugging at my leg.


77 posted on 03/01/2017 10:17:30 AM PST by ArGee (In 2017 I resolve to respect liberals more - Oh, who am I kidding?????)
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To: RegulatorCountry

Fahrenheit 451


78 posted on 03/01/2017 10:18:19 AM PST by HKMk23 (You ask how to fight an idea? Well, I'll tell you how: with another idea!)
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To: Don W

She WAS cute, wasn’t she.


79 posted on 03/01/2017 10:21:24 AM PST by ArGee (In 2017 I resolve to respect liberals more - Oh, who am I kidding?????)
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To: Darksheare

4-legs. Wheels. NINE WHOLE mph.

BUT — and this is THE Seminal Question: Can they be taught to play cricket?


80 posted on 03/01/2017 10:23:03 AM PST by HKMk23 (You ask how to fight an idea? Well, I'll tell you how: with another idea!)
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