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 ...
It’s easier for women. They can be Mrs. Brown and still be Jane Black. Men have a tough time with that kind of thing. ;o]
We’ll see what my brother actually does, and if he will write a column about it for the paper in CO. If he does, I’ll forward it to you.
I’m sure the story would be very interesting to his readers!
Absolutely!
I got birthday and Mother’s Day cards from my son and his little family. SammyMacaroni wished me awesome things, making words out of “awesome” and something else! He’ll be 16 in September and I have to get him a tie and a tie tack for the occasion.
Maybe tomorrow, I can get some actual writing done. That would be different, for sure.
Excellent news! We got our activities done, and now I am home with Tom, Pat, James, Vlad, Kathleen, and the various animal companions. Tom is grilling some meat for us.
Happy mother’s day to all mothers, including the ones I don’t know well enough to guess your age/sex from your FReeper name.
Thank you. I’m sure I will have a nice weekend with all these boys! And their Tiny Monster, Kathleen.
Oh, I forgot Frank. Sally is babysitting for Jamie Our Hairdresser in return for a new haircolor, and Bill went to the coast with DP as an adjunct to Elen’s camp-training weekend.
Thank you, ArGee.
Your thoughtfulness is always appreciated!
Because everyone big and slightly unnecessary is gone, you got to sleep in! Well done!
Yes, I did. I also got to read for an hour, from 2 to 3, after I came downstairs to get a drink and blow my nose. And I opened the bedroom door so Jake could go in and out.
I woke up before the alarm could do its thing because the mattress pad had shut off and I was cold and clammy from the night sweats.
Last evening, I came into the living room on my way to the kitchen and because the front door was open about 3”, I saw a piece of paper stuck to the security screen. When I opened the door to get it I saw that it was an envelope.
Said envelope welcomed me to the Class Reunion, and told me it would be “$33 for the Reunion Buffet and other Reunion expenses.” On yellow paper, no less, and a return envelope for the check. And would we please include a paragraph about what we have done in the last five years?
Hmmm... Two trips to Arkansas, one to North Carolina and one to Idaho and a short trip to Arizona. Did I have I eye surgery? I think I must have. Anyway, that’s about the extent of my travel, I think.
The rest of the last five years is too gloomy to write about.
I think you had eye surgery. It would be in the Undead Thread archives.
The Undead Thread has ARCHIVES? Who knew?
I don’t know what I’m going to do today. With Lablady off on her skydiving birthday gift to herself, and the house being somewhat clean, I can sit. I’ve put away all my yarn so in order to sit and knit, I would have to find it!
Dang. I forgot to call St George, yesterday. Now I’ll have to wait until Tuesday, because all offices are busy on Mondays.
Bob has a list of Undead Thread history. I haven’t heard from Bob lately. Hope he’s having fun!
I have to leave for choir practice at 8:30, so I need to get some boys up to take care of the lizards.
Some little jobs have been done, and here I am.
I had to change some things on my pill list and couldn’t find the list. I went through every collection of files I could find and it was on the last one. Of course.
Now I’m trying to compose a list of what I’ve done in the last five years! YAY!
Back from choir, off to Walmart with whomever gets in the car.
Walmart will have to function without me, today.
I think I should email that cousin that my brother found. Who knows what I can learn?
I’ve got some time to kill before I sit with Charlie, anyway. The wind isn’t blowing, now, but it certainly was when I stepped out to open the gate at 0500. Man! This has got to be the windiest year I’ve ever experienced here.
We went to Walmart and the bread clearance store. After lunch, I’ll take James for his walk. It’s chilly here, but I’ll put sunscreen on my face.
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