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 ...
Weird stuff.
Wouldn’t be as much fun as they weren’t.
I just wrote a post and it disappeared.
Nevada has changed a lot since I moved here in 1980. Then it was still a good place to live.
The state has changed, too. I don’t like it here any more.
Things always do change. Fortunately, you’re allowed to move to a different state!
Yes. Fortunately!
I just talked to my brother in Mesa. His Dementia is something else. His wife is 91 and she is taking care of him and her disabled son. If I could move to Mesa, I could help her, but I don’t know where to even start to find someone to check out the low income housing for seniors. Maybe I’ll write to the HUD field office in Phoenix...
And with that, I’m taking my aggravating bundle and going to lie down. See all y’all in the morning.
Hope you have a good night! I’ve just put a casserole in the oven.
In the next panel, the cat chases the bug.
I recently learned that pyramids in Peru are as old as those in Egypt. However, there’s not much evidence of cats.
:0)
Wow. Thanks. By brain doesn’t work in a logical fashion right now, so being able to remember to look for something is difficult, and being about to carry it to its logical conclusion is ever more difficult. Right now, my thinking isn’t very linear.
I call a couple of those today, especially the one in Mesa.
In other news: I went to have my usual Instant Breakfast and all I pulled out of the box was an envelope — no powder! Ha-ha! Mother Nature is trying to trick me!
What a tiny little squee!
I bet that’s a real handful when it wakes up!
He will be cute at you and run your life.
I see that. I don’t trust him. I will keep him closer. ;o]
I talked to my sister-in-law yesterday, and I’m trying to find out about Paratransit for her and my brother and her son. At the age of 91, she is afraid to drive.
Since I coughed a lot during the night, I really hope I don’t come down with that awful “cold” that turns into pneumonia before you can blink. But there is a distinct tickle in my throat, and I’m not a happy camper.
That’s all I need. I would end up in the hospital, for sure.
Uh-oh.
Does kitteh feel a sneeze coming on?
Yep. And the coughing has started today, as well. Not good.
My sore throat spray expired two years ago — that shows how often I get sick, I guess. Anyway, I can’t get any more because there aren’t enough pennies in the coffer.
I just wrote a note to my SiL in Mesa, and told her I would be checking housing there, with all requirements, to make sure I’m eligible. All I know is, if that’s where I’m supposed to go instead of St George, then things will fall into place for me.
One thing is sure, the niece and nephew population in AZ is much higher than in southern Utah!
Good luck!
I washed a dragon. Also made meat sauce and got it in the freezer to be thawed next Friday.
Next I will take Elen to school and then go to Asuncion’s to talk about music plans.
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