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Boston Dynamics unveils 'nightmare-inducing' hybrid robot (video)
theguardian.com ^ | Alex Hern

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 ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: allmvmebelongtous; google; koalaoil; molassesmiasma; monkeyfacerules; robocalypse; robotics; robotoverlords; undeadthread; undeadthreadhere
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To: Tax-chick

I love the Gospels! There is so much to learn, there!

And now, I’m off to bed.

I’ll see you in the early AM!


1,241 posted on 04/09/2017 2:10:20 PM PDT by Monkey Face (People who have no life will always try to start drama in yours. FB)
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To: NoCmpromiz

It’s the best.


1,242 posted on 04/09/2017 2:25:37 PM PDT by Tax-chick ("I prefer to think of myself as ... civilized." ~Jonathan Q. Higgins)
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To: Monkey Face; fanfan; ColdOne; Cyber Liberty; null and void; Tax-chick; Anoreth; ...

1,243 posted on 04/10/2017 2:22:20 AM PDT by Tax-chick ("I prefer to think of myself as ... civilized." ~Jonathan Q. Higgins)
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To: Tax-chick

That’s a pretty squee!

I’m off to wash clothes, but I’ll be back soon with not necessarily news!


1,244 posted on 04/10/2017 3:37:07 AM PDT by Monkey Face (People who have no life will always try to start drama in yours. FB)
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To: Monkey Face

*tagline*


1,245 posted on 04/10/2017 4:53:23 AM PDT by Monkey Face (Your first mistake was to assume I'd be one of the sheep. FB)
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To: Monkey Face

Good luck! I’m going to have a shower once DP leaves for work.


1,246 posted on 04/10/2017 4:56:28 AM PDT by Tax-chick ("I prefer to think of myself as ... civilized." ~Jonathan Q. Higgins)
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To: Tax-chick

My clothes are done, but I need to hang them up. Zeke was in the clubhouse when I went up, and I still don’t like the fact that he thinks this is his “game,” when it was me that came up with the idea of being a write-in. By noon, it will be all over but the shouting. I’m hoping there won’t be enough votes to elect anyone, because when that letter is opened by the people I sent it to, there is going to be a bit of a shake up.

In the meantime, I’m not going up to the clubhouse until noon, when the ballots are counted. I just want it to be over with.

Zeke was pretty upset when I told him Charlie wasn’t going to vote, and wanted to know why. It doesn’t matter why. It’s Charlie’s choice.


1,247 posted on 04/10/2017 5:24:25 AM PDT by Monkey Face (Your first mistake was to assume I'd be one of the sheep. FB)
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To: Tax-chick

(I just saw what you did, there...thanks.)


1,248 posted on 04/10/2017 5:55:52 AM PDT by Monkey Face (Your first mistake was to assume I'd be one of the sheep. FB)
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To: Monkey Face; Tax-chick

Oh, look, ‘Face. It’s almost the 1250 post.


1,249 posted on 04/10/2017 6:31:28 AM PDT by NicknamedBob (If you can't do something well, you won't do anything good.)
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To: NicknamedBob

No way!


1,250 posted on 04/10/2017 6:56:35 AM PDT by Monkey Face (Your first mistake was to assume I'd be one of the sheep. FB)
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To: Klemper
We will just pour an oil slick in front of it...What about spike strips?

Just like a drone...how many rounds from a 12 gauge can it handle?

1,251 posted on 04/10/2017 7:00:23 AM PDT by ROCKLOBSTER (The fear of stark justice sends hot urine down their thighs.)
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To: Tax-chick

I just took my morning pills and went to have a pudding cup and found one had burst in the box, evidently from someone either dropping the box or putting something heavy on it. I hate when that happens! The mess was confined to one part of the box, though, so that’s good.

I really want this day to be over with, but it will be long. I didn’t sleep well, as Berta kept waltzing in and out of my dreams. It’s bad enough to see her from a distance on a somewhat daily basis, but at night, too??? ARGH!!!!

If I thought my truck would make it, I’d head for Central Utah to take a break from all this garbage.

Tired is my friend, today. Maybe I’ll feel better after I talk to Charlie.


1,252 posted on 04/10/2017 7:42:31 AM PDT by Monkey Face (Your first mistake was to assume I'd be one of the sheep. FB)
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To: Monkey Face

I hope you feel better after you talk to Charlie! I took a shower. Then I called the county water department about our low water pressure problem. They said they’ll look into it tomorrow. Then I went to Walmart. Found pants for Patrick, shoes for Frank and Kathleen, who are brutal to their shoes. They didn’t have plain black pants in 8-Husky for Frank’s First Communion. (Did I mention he’s rather big around the middle?) I ordered some from their website, along with some laundry detergent to qualify for free shipping. Can’t have too much laundry soap!

It will be lunchtime in a few minutes, and then I’ll start cutting up vegetables for supper. I got a big piece of Angus beef on clearance at Harris Teeter yesterday.


1,253 posted on 04/10/2017 7:56:48 AM PDT by Tax-chick ("I prefer to think of myself as ... civilized." ~Jonathan Q. Higgins)
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To: Monkey Face

There are plenty of good free AV programs.

I recommend AVG Free. I was running it myself until the DoITT VPN service quit recognizing the latest version. Now I am running Avira.

Neither one costs a dime. I think AVG Free gets the best reviews for not slowing down your computer while still removing or blocking everything.


1,254 posted on 04/10/2017 8:04:01 AM PDT by ArGee (In 2017 I resolve to respect liberals more - Oh, who am I kidding?????)
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To: ArGee

I have AdAware and Avast as the only “anti” programs, but I will check out AVGFree, as I just can’t tolerate this thing being wonky.

So it’s AVG Free and Avira? I’ll do that, thanks! (You’re such a good help to me!)


1,255 posted on 04/10/2017 8:23:49 AM PDT by Monkey Face (Your first mistake was to assume I'd be one of the sheep. FB)
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To: Monkey Face

Those are the two. And you can ignore that popup that says “Your private information might be sent to ArGee.” That’s a bug.


1,256 posted on 04/10/2017 8:55:03 AM PDT by ArGee (In 2017 I resolve to respect liberals more - Oh, who am I kidding?????)
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To: Monkey Face; ArGee

Lunch accomplished, we are off to the library, where I can pick up P.J. O’Rourke’s new book and a biography of General Daniel Sickles. Then we’ll go to Hobby Lobby, where candles are 50% off this week, and Kathleen says I can buy her tons of very small plastic horses.


1,257 posted on 04/10/2017 8:59:22 AM PDT by Tax-chick ("I prefer to think of myself as ... civilized." ~Jonathan Q. Higgins)
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To: ArGee

Well, since I’ve had remote contact with certain people, my private information is probably compromised anyway.

(I want to go to sleep!)


1,258 posted on 04/10/2017 9:02:05 AM PDT by Monkey Face (Your first mistake was to assume I'd be one of the sheep. FB)
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To: Tax-chick

I’ve been very diligent and made many lists for things to do in the future. That future could be as close as tomorrow or far away as next Monday.

I love candles, and wish I could afford them. Small plastic horses? Not so much.


1,259 posted on 04/10/2017 9:05:05 AM PDT by Monkey Face (Your first mistake was to assume I'd be one of the sheep. FB)
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To: Monkey Face

LOL!


1,260 posted on 04/10/2017 9:13:20 AM PDT by stephenjohnbanker (My Batting Average( 1,000) since Nov 2014 (GOPe is that easy to read))
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