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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

What I know for sure is that the “win” will be short-lived. The Klingon managed to install her Bots to do her bidding, but when she isn’t there to tell them what to do, they will collapse under their own egos.

So all I can say is, “To Be Continued!”

In other news, I will be sending something to you by media mail, probably in the next day or two. It could be today, but Eddie is coming by at 0800, so mailing this thing could be done tomorrow. No later, for sure.


1,281 posted on 04/11/2017 6:10:50 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 like this tagline better*


1,282 posted on 04/11/2017 6:59:18 AM PDT by Monkey Face (Dont underestimate me.I know more than I say, think more than I speak & notice more than you realize)
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To: Monkey Face; NoCmpromiz

Two anti-virus programs will get along about as well as you and the Klingon. I suggest you pick one and uninstall the other.


1,283 posted on 04/11/2017 7:37:33 AM PDT by ArGee (In 2017 I resolve to respect liberals more - Oh, who am I kidding?????)
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To: ArGee

OK. I can do that. Thanks for the heads up!


1,284 posted on 04/11/2017 7:53:18 AM PDT by Monkey Face (Dont underestimate me.I know more than I say, think more than I speak & notice more than you realize)
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To: Monkey Face

I think the new tagline is too long.

I lost 1.4 this week. There was a visitor at the WW meeting who had lost over 110 lbs. We need to each lunch and then hustle off to Sally’s dentist appointment. Maybe tomorrow I’ll get over to The Salvation Army.


1,285 posted on 04/11/2017 7:53:25 AM PDT by Tax-chick ("I prefer to think of myself as ... civilized." ~Jonathan Q. Higgins)
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To: Tax-chick

Well, it is as I suspected: The Klingon had to send out her minions to grab people to bring them in to vote. It seems, when the residents were told they couldn’t vote for a write-in, they turned around and walked out. That means they didn’t have a quorum, (20 people) so the election is illegal on so many levels.

So. We’re probably looking at a few more chapters in this story...


1,286 posted on 04/11/2017 10:33:52 AM PDT by Monkey Face (Dont underestimate me.I know more than I say, think more than I speak & notice more than you realize)
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To: RoosterRedux

Sure, it’s all fun and games until it becomes self-aware and runs over your foot for making it do all those stupid tests...


1,287 posted on 04/11/2017 10:35:54 AM PDT by Mr. K (***THERE IS NO CONSEQUENCE OF OBAMACARE REPEAL THAT IS WORSE THAN KEEPING IT ONE MORE DAY***)
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To: ArGee; Monkey Face
I suggest you pick one and uninstall the other.

I agree. Two is not better than one. Actually two could give you degraded protection and internal conflicts that will make your trials with Dell support in New Delhi, TX trivial...

Also two firewall programs simultaneously are a similar blight on utility...

1,288 posted on 04/11/2017 11:06:23 AM PDT by NoCmpromiz (John 14:6 is a non-pluralistic comment.)
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To: NoCmpromiz; ArGee

Uninstalled the one with the Windoze-type logo...AVG...

I don’t need more problems with this P of C.


1,289 posted on 04/11/2017 11:13:34 AM PDT by Monkey Face (Dont underestimate me.I know more than I say, think more than I speak & notice more than you realize)
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To: Monkey Face

I left my phone at the dentist. I’ll have to go back as soon as the water-company guys are done.


1,290 posted on 04/11/2017 11:16:58 AM PDT by Tax-chick ("I prefer to think of myself as ... civilized." ~Jonathan Q. Higgins)
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To: Tax-chick
I left my phone at the dentist.

That sounds like a good title for a bad C&W song.

1,291 posted on 04/11/2017 12:11:38 PM PDT by ArGee (In 2017 I resolve to respect liberals more - Oh, who am I kidding?????)
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To: Tax-chick

Ow. That bites. I try never to leave my phone anywhere. I have a zipper pocket on the outside of the backpack and that’s where it goes, along with my reading glasses and my grocery list/coupons.

I just went out and swept the patio. I really need to hose it down, but I’ll wait a day or two. I don’t feel up to it right now, as my back is killing me. The barometer is showing a low front coming but it’s either not too big or its a slow-mover. Bed always looks good when my back hurts.

In the morning, I’ll go to the PO early, and then go exchange the mayo I bought at Smith’s. My reading glasses didn’t allow me to read the important ingredients on the label, and I got it home and saw that soybean oil is the first ingredient. GACK! So it’s going back. I’ll get some lunchmeat while I’m there, and maybe even some lettuce since my mouth wants some salad.


1,292 posted on 04/11/2017 12:22:23 PM PDT by Monkey Face (I know more than I say, think more than I speak and notice more than you realize.)
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To: ArGee

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXAYnwsfVqk

THIS is the Perfect Country and Western Song...


1,293 posted on 04/11/2017 12:30:24 PM PDT by Monkey Face (I know more than I say, think more than I speak and notice more than you realize.)
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To: Monkey Face; ArGee

I probably tried to drop it in my purse but missed. Anyway, I got it back, and I went to the grocery store, and then I picked Elen up at school.


1,294 posted on 04/11/2017 1:09:14 PM PDT by Tax-chick ("I prefer to think of myself as ... civilized." ~Jonathan Q. Higgins)
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To: Tax-chick; ArGee; NoCmpromiz

And now, it would appear, that I need to go stick my body between the covers and call the entire day a wash. I accomplished nothing.

So I’ll see all y’all in the morning.


1,295 posted on 04/11/2017 1:39:19 PM PDT by Monkey Face (I know more than I say, think more than I speak and notice more than you realize.)
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To: Monkey Face; ArGee

Our trash didn’t get picked up because the trash collection came at the very moment when both the garage-door repair guys and the water company guys were parked on the curb.


1,296 posted on 04/11/2017 1:46:31 PM PDT by Tax-chick ("I prefer to think of myself as ... civilized." ~Jonathan Q. Higgins)
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To: Tax-chick

Drive it around your neighborhood tomorrow to find a place where it gets picked up on a different schedule.


1,297 posted on 04/11/2017 2:13:07 PM PDT by NicknamedBob (If you can't do something well, you won't do anything good.)
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To: Monkey Face

Well, the two babes in the six-pack abs ad that ran before were ... interesting.


1,298 posted on 04/11/2017 2:16:52 PM PDT by ArGee (In 2017 I resolve to respect liberals more - Oh, who am I kidding?????)
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To: NicknamedBob

It’s two very large bins.


1,299 posted on 04/11/2017 2:17:57 PM PDT by Tax-chick ("I prefer to think of myself as ... civilized." ~Jonathan Q. Higgins)
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To: Monkey Face
And now, it would appear, that I need to go stick my body between the covers and call the entire day a wash.

It might not be a good idea to call a day names. Remember what messing with Mother Nature used to do to you?


1,300 posted on 04/11/2017 2:19:56 PM PDT by ArGee (In 2017 I resolve to respect liberals more - Oh, who am I kidding?????)
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