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 ...
My forecast says a high of 88, with humidity. I expect we’ll turn the a/c on this afternoon. I’m waiting for the day camp director to call me back, so meanwhile, I will clean something.
It will be nice for you to have a restful weekend!
So why do Tom and Elen think their jobs start dates should be given out on a “need to know” basis?
There was a period of about 15 minutes from when I started this to now. I found the page I was looking for but not the one I really wanted, which I had to send to SLC for.
This is getting to be a day. :o|
Tom and Elen were waiting for their respective directors to volunteer the dates. I told them they needed to hassle the directors directly.
Nobody is returning my phone calls. I guess I’ll vacuum.
What do you use, Internet Exploder?
That would explain the trouble the rest of us keep having.
I’ve gotten everything done but the filing. The place looks like it could handle company, now! YAY! Of course, when they leave, I’ll probably fold up and sneak off to bed.
It’s just not shaping up to be a good day. I’m almost out of Wet-Jet liquid, and I feel harried and beat up. It must be about time to go sit with Charlie.
It’s 64F and 37%. A jacket. I need a jacket!
Exploder Edginess.
I really need to get busy and change the OS on this thing. ASAP.
I need to do several things, but my hip hurts, so I’m going to lie down for a while. Maybe I’ll have gumption in an hour or so.
I went out and now I’m in. I need to file, and then I’ll fix my unsalad.
And then I’ll have another breathing treatment. This is, indeed, a strange day. And I suspect it will be stranger before all is said and done.
I was lying down, but it was too loud downstairs for me to rest. You would think that people with rooms full of activities that they could engage separately and quietly wouldn’t have to yell all the time, but you’d be wrong.
At least Kathleen is napping.
I’ll get the words for Sunday’s Mass sent off to Fabio, and then I’ll go over to church and get the day camp forms people are supposed to have left there.
I finished the filing and made my unsalad, and now, I get to wait. And wait.
And while I was waiting...
The brother in CO asked me if I knew someone named Marty Pierce (my last name) and I said, “It’s probably on the Colonia Juarez side of the family.” He just called back and said I was right. The ancestor who had a wife in Canada and one in Mexico was the uncle for this guy.
So tomorrow, I’ll email his wife and see what we can get started. It’s been a long time since I did any genealogy...and I will need to get my Win7 laptop booted up so I can send the file to my brother. If I can just remember the password...
Cool stuff.
I’m still collecting day camp forms. The good part is that I don’t have to run all over town for them, because the people can take a picture of the form on their phones and email it to me and then I print it out.
You may remind me of this next time I say I hate technology!
The best thing of all of this is that my brother FINALLY admitted that he is my full brother and not my half-brother. I told him I always knew who he was and he didn’t have to worry about it.
His comment was that it was really odd that one brother used my mother’s first married name and he was really her second husband’s child. The other brother took my dad’s name but was really the child of her first husband. I had it figured out when I saw pics of him and my younger sister at the same ages, in almost the same settings. ;o]
Strange bidness, this.
Hahaha! At times, I hate technology, too, so I won’t be reminding you!
My brother said he will send me a thumb drive for the genealogy, but I don’t know when. Once again, they asked, “Are we too late for your birthday?” I love it!
(My stomach is not happy with me today.)
The best thing about today is that Lablady and I are set up for Sunday, for sure. If she wants to go to breakfast, she’ll have to do it alone, because I don’t have the pesos to do it. I wonder of one of the local casinos would be cheaper...? Ohwell...
They will return.
With laundry.
Very strange, indeed. Glad you have plans for Sunday!
I thought I had all my forms, and then I found I don’t have a Youth Protection or Weather Hazard training certificate for one of the adults. Gah. Hopefully she’s already taken it and just has to email me the forms. If not, I may fall short of complete day camp perfection.
It is true. However, it will be worth it. Maybe I’ll even go to the laundromat.
My niece just sent me a text, saying they were “about two hours out,” which puts them in St George, or thereabouts. If I can just hang on...
As for the plans for Sunday, I would have faked it, under any circumstances!
The barometer is dropping and my back is killing me. I’m hoping they are tired enough to leave within an hour, and I’m sorry if that sounds rude, but this is that time of day.
I don't suppose it was "password".
That’s why I changed my name to “Meaningful Dweeb.”
It keeps the nosy people from asking the wrong questions.
Well, IIRC, Cubs don't have to be trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.
Which means you could lie?
(It's been a while since my son made Eagle, but I had to try 3 times before it came out right. At least I didn't have to look it up.)
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