Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

DARPA's Amazing Robot Pack Mule Keeps its Balance On Ice
PopSci.com ^ | 17 Mar 2008 | John Mahoney

Posted on 03/18/2008 9:47:35 AM PDT by BGHater

click here to read article


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-36 next last
Wow. Link has a great video.
1 posted on 03/18/2008 9:47:36 AM PDT by BGHater
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: BGHater

Everybody needs to see this video. It’s stunning. Watching that thing move, you’d never believe it’s a machine. Its movements are fluid, organic, shockingly animal-like. It’s proof that we are indeed living in the future. :)


2 posted on 03/18/2008 9:52:54 AM PDT by Omedalus
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BGHater

I downloaded a video of this about two years ago. After watching this thing go through its moves, you’ll have an uneasy feeling it is alive.


3 posted on 03/18/2008 9:55:18 AM PDT by Rudder (Klinton-Kool-Aid FReepers prefer spectacle over victory.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BGHater

Now that’s cool!


4 posted on 03/18/2008 9:56:11 AM PDT by MarineBrat (My wife and I took an AIDS vaccination that the Church offers.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Eaker; humblegunner

Ping

Go to the link and watch video when you have the time.


5 posted on 03/18/2008 9:56:20 AM PDT by thackney (life is fragile, handle with prayer)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BGHater

Saw the ice video on Youtube last night. This thing has some pretty amazing real time dynamic reactions. I wonder how fast it can or will be able to run.


6 posted on 03/18/2008 9:57:25 AM PDT by Jack of all Trades (This line intentionally left blank)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BGHater

I realize this is a just prototype machine, but it definately needs a better muffler. It’s not powered by Honda, that’s for sure.


7 posted on 03/18/2008 9:59:16 AM PDT by scooter2 (The greatest threat to the security of the United States is the Democratic Party.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BGHater

WOW - creepy but as an old dog Infantry grunt, I can see a LOT of battlefield uses for this!


8 posted on 03/18/2008 10:01:13 AM PDT by taxcontrol
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Rudder
They've added some features in the last two years. For example, in this new video they show it jumping over a simulated chasm about two feet wide. They also show it gingerly groping its way through a pile of rubble.

Keep in mind, folks, this thing is blind. It might have some very basic color detection, but for the most part, everything it does it does by feel. That's why its steps, while organic, are sort of halting - it's walking the way a blindfolded human would walk, moving forward while trying to avoid any one step that would result in tripping.

9 posted on 03/18/2008 10:02:31 AM PDT by Omedalus
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: thackney

will do.


10 posted on 03/18/2008 10:03:33 AM PDT by patton (cuiquam in sua arte credendum)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: BGHater

Wow, that’s pretty phenomenal.


11 posted on 03/18/2008 10:03:51 AM PDT by andyk
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Fraxinus; GunsareOK

ping to awesome technology


12 posted on 03/18/2008 10:08:20 AM PDT by Albion Wilde (The best argument against democracy is a 5-minute conversation with the average voter.—WChurchill)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: VAFlagwaver

ping!


13 posted on 03/18/2008 10:08:42 AM PDT by Albion Wilde (The best argument against democracy is a 5-minute conversation with the average voter.—WChurchill)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BGHater

ping for home


14 posted on 03/18/2008 10:11:41 AM PDT by doodad
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BGHater

Wow! Once again American technology kicks booty.

But it is creepy... it blurs the barrier between animal and machine because its so damn coordinated and reactive.

And they gotta fix the muffler problem.


15 posted on 03/18/2008 10:14:44 AM PDT by navyguy (Some days you are the pigeon, some days you are the statue.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BGHater
Truly an awesome display of 21st-century technology! Now if they could make it quieter! ;-)

Wisecracks aside, I am truly in awe of what I saw in that video and am looking forward to seeing its practical applications in the near future!

16 posted on 03/18/2008 10:14:57 AM PDT by Digital Sniper (Hello, "Undocumented Immigrant." I'm an "Undocumented Border Patrol Agent.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BGHater

wish they had these when I was a young grunt.


17 posted on 03/18/2008 10:17:56 AM PDT by WOBBLY BOB (Conservatives are to McCain what Charlie Brown is to Lucy.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BGHater

Incredible. Put eight legs on that thing and I’d have nightmares for months. Combat spiders from Hell...


18 posted on 03/18/2008 10:23:28 AM PDT by Billthedrill
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BGHater
Just when you thot it was safe to go back into the water...Jaws
19 posted on 03/18/2008 10:25:24 AM PDT by PeaceBeWithYou (De Oppresso Liber! (50 million and counting in Afganistan and Iraq))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BGHater

bflv


20 posted on 03/18/2008 10:31:53 AM PDT by SpinnerWebb (Islam ... If you can't join them, beat them.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-36 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson