Robot ’pack mule’ carries on

The Boston Herald ^ | March 22, 2008 | Jay Fitzgerald

[afortiori]

BigDog is a big hit on YouTube.

A new video of BigDog - a robotic “pack mule” that Waltham-based Boston Dynamics is developing for the Pentagon’s Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency - has attracted more than 2 million viewers since the clip went live on YouTube this week.

[afortiori]

Watch the video at link. The spastic recovery moves of this robot are incredibly life like. It's almost as if it senses or anticipates pain.

[Brian S. Fitzgerald]

After seeing that guy kick it, and its recovery, I thought “we’re dead”.

[RouxStir]

Very cool but looks highly suceptible to mines, rockets, grenades, etc.

[MaryFromMichigan]

Fascinating, and just a little scary for some reason.

[sit-rep]

Truly amazing...

[burroak]

After seeing that guy kick it, and its recovery, I thought “we’re dead”.

Brian,

When it gets eyes and a weapon, the guy kicking it will be dead.:D

[Calvin Locke]

And a flesh-and-blood mule isn’t?

[CarrotAndStick]

Why robots when real mules are much cheaper, and hardier?

[Ramius]

Very cool but looks highly suceptible to mines, rockets, grenades, etc.

What isn't?

[668 - Neighbor of the Beast]

That’s an ugly devil! Makes the mule look majestic.

[jonno]

bump

[mamelukesabre]

I saw this on yutube close to a year ago. It’s amazing. WHen they get it to the point where it can run and change speed and direction based on it’s own assessment of the terrain, then they will have something that can be deployed in a battle field. I picture one of these things following around each and every foot soldier in iraq and afghanistan.

Also, they need to add better feet to it’s legs. Maybe model the feet after a pig’s foot.

check this link out. It’s long and dry but the end is WELL WORTH THE WAIT. I promise. You will be totally blown away.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hzRja9eunY

[RouxStir]

“Why robots when real mules are much cheaper, and hardier?”

And they’re tasty when barbequed...after they “get blowed up”...no sense in wasting.

[Ramius]

Why robots when real mules are much cheaper, and hardier?

Well, for starters, a mule doesn't learn the way to where you are, and you can't send it back for more supplies by itself, or send it to some designated place on it's own.

[El Gato]

Very cool but looks highly suceptible to mines, rockets, grenades, etc.

So are Leathernecks, Grunts, Airmen, and Sailors.

[Manic_Episode]

A couple Ewoks and a length of rope and that things toast.

[BigCinBigD]

Have you seen my dog?

[WakeUpAndVote]

Yeah, and that mule WILL kick back if you kicked it.

[Rebelbase]

Give it ground penetrating radar vision and it could step right over areas of disturbed soil.

[El Gato]

Very cool but looks highly suceptible to mines, rockets, grenades, etc.

It's a proof of concept/developmental model. Any production version, which I'm sure is still a ways off, would be bigger and heavier. Better armored and possibly armed as well.