The original copy machine.
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 ...
I’d like to sleep a solid six hours!
The original copy machine.
I don't have the CFIDS excuse, but I am just thankful to wake up. Asking for more is too much.
I usually get two hours at a time, and it wears me out to the point that I sleep five or six hours, after about a week.
Those six hour blocks just don’t happen often enough.
I got the dishes done and vacuumed, but I have yet to get the Wet-Jet out and make it work for me. I will dust the floors first, then use the Wet-Jet, and it will probably have to do for the next month. :o|
Yes, and I have the utmost respect for the monks who did nothing but exacting calligraphy all day, and into the night, using candles for light. Their work was exquisite.
The copies are done and handed off to Zeke, who will distribute them early in the morning, after we go to Walmart. And we will go there at 0400. *sigh* Sleeping until 0400 is beginning to be a rare gift.
Yes, that. Any day on this side of the grass is a good day, and I try very hard not too complain too much or too loudly. My life is a gift, and I am very grateful for it.
It's all I can do not to mark mine, "Return to sender."
It’s extremely windy here. Jake has a good plan: bed, sun.
We all have that marking, and will arrive, whether we want to or not! ;o]
I just got the strangest phone call. SW Medical called to ask if I had had a flu or pneumonia shot in the last 30 days, and I told the gal that I had had the pneumonia vaccine in 1995 and had just gotten over “walking pneumonia.”
She stammered for a few seconds and then said, “Thanks and you have a nice day.” She hung up before I could tell her I don’t ever have the flu vaccines. Never. Not since the Swine Flu vaccine.
Now, I’m wondering why no one at SW Medical knows I’ve had the pneumonia vaccine, since I’ve had SW Medical since 1993....
Weird.
How's everyone?
I lurk a bit, but haven't had time to really engage the dialog much; just "here a little, there a little," sav lasav, sav lasav, kav lakav, kav lakav...
Saw some scuttlebutt about weather around the country; been stellar, here. Guess it's why I pay the big bucks to live in CA. After the soaking rains we had this winter it's a nice change of pace. So, we'll have 70's-ish temps for a couple of months before summer gets up to speed.
Whatever have ya done with Moose? Haven't seen his moniker around here since the pics of the gorgeous motorcars last month.
Moose is on FB a bit, but actually rather scarce in both places. I suspect that whatever he does for a living has kept him busy.
We’ve had strange weather here, for the Mojave Desert in the transitional phase between winter and spring. This week, it’s shaping up to be “normal,” but that may change by next week. ;o]
I’ve had “walking pneumonia,” but I didn’t put it on FB. My son knows, but my daughter doesn’t, and he only knows because I was gifted with one of his rare calls, which elicited the query, “Are you SICK, Mom?” Yeah. Like that.
Anyway, things are status quo. You have been missed, in both places that I frequent. I hope all is well with you. Is your FiL still raising cane?
Good evening ,
Hope we are all well.
I’m just in quiet mode at the moment.
Still popping in every day to see the Kittie pic and check for pings.
I’ve got a few pics to post, in a day or two.
Stay well.
We’re supposed to have a week or so that’s sunny in the 70s, once the current wind event is over.
Tom the Son is supposed to grill some meat in the next half hour or so, while I take Sally to Monroe to interview for a job in the Aquatic Center’s summer day-care program. Then the choir is coming over to practice for Easter.
FYI: I finally signed up for FreeFax...I was too lazy to walk to the office and too lazy and cheap to go to UPS, so I sent the stuff by FF. I hope it works!
Tell Tom I like my steak medium well. I know, to some people, that isn’t steak, but according to the Bible, it is. Not that I’m actually using Biblical dietary rules (I’m not Jewish, yet...) but I think I understand why meat should be well-cooked.
And now, kids, I think I’m going to bed. I need to be up early in the morning in order to take Zeke to Walmart before he distributes the flyers, and I doubt I will get much rest during the day.
I’m taking Charlie to the place LuDean lives around 0930, so we can add our names to the wait list, and in between Zeke and Charlie, I have a full agenda. So I’m outta here.
I hope all y’all have a good night!
No steak tonight: sausage and chicken. We had steak over the weekend.
We have thunderous storms. Tipton T. Longcat was sleeping in the window bed until it got noisy and disco-like* outside. Then he hopped down from the window bed and hopped into my lap.
You know, to protect me from the monster...
*The flashing strobe light part, not the mirror-ball part.
We had the storms yesterday. Jake goes from the window bed to Elen’s bed when he’s unhappy with the outdoor noise level.
Interesting link..
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