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

Skip to comments.

Robot ’pack mule’ carries on
The Boston Herald ^ | March 22, 2008 | Jay Fitzgerald

Posted on 03/23/2008 7:16:46 AM PDT by 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.

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


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: darpa; mule; pack; robot
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-45 next last
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.
1 posted on 03/23/2008 7:16:47 AM PDT by afortiori
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: afortiori

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


2 posted on 03/23/2008 7:26:39 AM PDT by Brian S. Fitzgerald ("We're going to drag that ship over the mountain.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: afortiori

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


3 posted on 03/23/2008 7:26:46 AM PDT by RouxStir (No Peeing Allowed in the Gene Pool.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: afortiori
Fascinating, and just a little scary for some reason.
4 posted on 03/23/2008 7:26:47 AM PDT by MaryFromMichigan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: afortiori; Squantos; Larry Lucido

Truly amazing...


5 posted on 03/23/2008 7:27:55 AM PDT by sit-rep
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Brian S. Fitzgerald

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


6 posted on 03/23/2008 7:29:45 AM PDT by burroak
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: RouxStir

And a flesh-and-blood mule isn’t?


7 posted on 03/23/2008 7:30:58 AM PDT by Calvin Locke
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

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


8 posted on 03/23/2008 7:32:36 AM PDT by CarrotAndStick (The articles posted by me needn't necessarily reflect my opinion.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

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

What isn't?

9 posted on 03/23/2008 7:33:58 AM PDT by Ramius (Personally, I give us... one chance in three. More tea?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: afortiori

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


10 posted on 03/23/2008 7:34:40 AM PDT by 668 - Neighbor of the Beast (VA is for lovers, but PA is the Saudi Arabia of coal.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: afortiori

bump


11 posted on 03/23/2008 7:37:07 AM PDT by jonno (Having an opinion is not the same as having the answer...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: afortiori

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


12 posted on 03/23/2008 7:40:33 AM PDT by mamelukesabre (Quantum materiae materietur marmota monax si marmota monax materiam possit materiari?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: CarrotAndStick

“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.


13 posted on 03/23/2008 7:41:31 AM PDT by RouxStir (No Peeing Allowed in the Gene Pool.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: CarrotAndStick
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.

14 posted on 03/23/2008 7:42:34 AM PDT by Ramius (Personally, I give us... one chance in three. More tea?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

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

So are Leathernecks, Grunts, Airmen, and Sailors.

15 posted on 03/23/2008 7:47:04 AM PDT by El Gato ("The Second Amendment is the RESET button of the United States Constitution." -- Doug McKay)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: afortiori
A couple Ewoks and a length of rope and that things toast.
16 posted on 03/23/2008 7:47:04 AM PDT by Manic_Episode (Some mornings, it's just not worth chewing through the leather straps...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: afortiori
Have you seen my dog?
17 posted on 03/23/2008 7:47:06 AM PDT by BigCinBigD (")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: CarrotAndStick

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


18 posted on 03/23/2008 7:47:41 AM PDT by WakeUpAndVote (Pork, just bring the hot sauce!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: RouxStir

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


19 posted on 03/23/2008 7:51:47 AM PDT by Rebelbase
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: RouxStir
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.

20 posted on 03/23/2008 7:51:56 AM PDT by El Gato ("The Second Amendment is the RESET button of the United States Constitution." -- Doug McKay)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-45 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