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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

The juxtaposition of that post with the previous was ... interesting.


1,301 posted on 04/11/2017 2:20:38 PM PDT by ArGee (In 2017 I resolve to respect liberals more - Oh, who am I kidding?????)
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To: ArGee

Parkay...


1,302 posted on 04/11/2017 9:57:34 PM PDT by NoCmpromiz (John 14:6 is a non-pluralistic comment.)
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To: Tax-chick; fanfan; ColdOne; Cyber Liberty; null and void; Anoreth; Monkey Face; ...

1,303 posted on 04/12/2017 2:11:38 AM PDT by Tax-chick ("I prefer to think of myself as ... civilized." ~Jonathan Q. Higgins)
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To: everyone

Good Morning and may all your days be great


1,304 posted on 04/12/2017 2:17:05 AM PDT by no-to-illegals (If America Cared would a moslem cair?)
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To: Tax-chick

The trash here got picked up mid-morning, which is early for a Tuesday. I told Charlie that the trucks can come any time on Tuesday, but on Friday, they are early-morning-wake-you-from-a-sound-sleep pick ups.

No one parks in front of the dumpsters unless its just for a few minutes to pick someone up, or for someone to pull a rental truck in to load or unload.


1,305 posted on 04/12/2017 4:05:20 AM 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

W00t!


1,306 posted on 04/12/2017 4:05:56 AM 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: no-to-illegals

Good morning!


1,307 posted on 04/12/2017 4:09:41 AM PDT by Tax-chick ("I prefer to think of myself as ... civilized." ~Jonathan Q. Higgins)
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To: Monkey Face

I make a point of clearing the vehicles from in front of our house on Tuesdays. We just got unlucky yesterday when the two service trucks coincided with the moment WastePro decided to pick up.


1,308 posted on 04/12/2017 4:10:51 AM PDT by Tax-chick ("I prefer to think of myself as ... civilized." ~Jonathan Q. Higgins)
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To: Tax-chick

Maybe Basement Cat is trying to get the lock on the board for cuteness?

The bathroom is warming up, and I just don’t want to start this day at all. Hopefully, the shower will help me wake up a little, and be able to face the day with more than just “meh.”


1,309 posted on 04/12/2017 4:12:41 AM 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: Tax-chick

With a family the size of yours, not having the trash picked up has got to bite. Will someone be making a Dump Run? DP still drives a pickup, right? Assign him and the Tame Ogre to it.


1,310 posted on 04/12/2017 4:15:01 AM 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

We have two large bins because of there being so many of us. If they get full before next Tuesday, I can sneak some bags of rubbish over to the Dumpster at church.


1,311 posted on 04/12/2017 4:16:01 AM PDT by Tax-chick ("I prefer to think of myself as ... civilized." ~Jonathan Q. Higgins)
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To: NoCmpromiz

I’m pretty sure that was Chiffon.


1,312 posted on 04/12/2017 4:44:51 AM PDT by ArGee (In 2017 I resolve to respect liberals more - Oh, who am I kidding?????)
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To: Monkey Face

Yeah, it’s been so long since I’ve been in for a big number post that I didn’t even notice.


1,313 posted on 04/12/2017 4:46:23 AM PDT by ArGee (In 2017 I resolve to respect liberals more - Oh, who am I kidding?????)
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To: Tax-chick

Lots of folks use our dumpsters for their offal. Mostly big things, like mattresses and recliners.

They’ve also been know to cut the lower branches off our fir trees at Christmas time. No consciences, I guess. To steal something to celebrate the Birth of our Lord???


1,314 posted on 04/12/2017 4:55:06 AM 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
To steal something to celebrate the Birth of our Lord???

It ain't stealing. It's an entitlement.

1,315 posted on 04/12/2017 8:14:37 AM PDT by ArGee (In 2017 I resolve to respect liberals more - Oh, who am I kidding?????)
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To: Monkey Face; Tax-chick

“They’ve also been know to cut the lower branches off our fir trees at Christmas time. No consciences, I guess. To steal something to celebrate the Birth of our Lord???”

LOL....I doubt He will be too impressed here.


1,316 posted on 04/12/2017 8:31:11 AM PDT by stephenjohnbanker (My Batting Average( 1,000) since Nov 2014 (GOPe is that easy to read))
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To: Monkey Face; ArGee; stephenjohnbanker

Back from running around. I had one of the slow-motion cashiers at Walmart, and then (not her fault) the discount meats were ringing up at full price. *sigh*


1,317 posted on 04/12/2017 9:53:14 AM PDT by Tax-chick ("I prefer to think of myself as ... civilized." ~Jonathan Q. Higgins)
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To: stephenjohnbanker; ArGee

Yep. They can justify anything they want as often as they want, but in the final analysis, the Lord will sort out the lies from the truth. They won’t be able to lie to Him.


1,318 posted on 04/12/2017 10:49:28 AM 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: Tax-chick

I’m tired, so I’m glad I didn’t go anywhere. But I will have to go tomorrow, for sure.

On payday, I WILL get my hair cut, and with luck, I’ll get my truck washed and waxed. I hate the way it looks. And the wiper blades will have to be replaced. Period.

I want something for lunch, but I have no clue what. Probably a stack of cheese and crackers as I seem to be out of lunchmeat. I also need rice pudding and yogurt. How does that happen so soon after the last time I got it?


1,319 posted on 04/12/2017 10:53:21 AM 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

I fell asleep. This is better than being exhausted and not falling asleep. Now I’m going start making supper. I think we’re all going to the park this evening for Personal Fitness Merit Badge.


1,320 posted on 04/12/2017 12:27:59 PM PDT by Tax-chick ("I prefer to think of myself as ... civilized." ~Jonathan Q. Higgins)
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