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 youll 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, Handles 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 ...
New tagline...
Fank yew!
I like it!
W00t!
And that is all I'm going to say about that...
Havamal 7.
A guest should be courteous
When he comes to the table
And sit in wary silence,
His ears attentive, his eyes alert:
So he protects himself.
Yes. That.
To be fair, we did request a pretty big cake.
Wasn’t even trying... :-)
I’ll see your tagline and raise you.
Yes. Yes you did. The system probably crashed when you lit all the candles... ;o]
Well, I’m not going to name names but SOMEONE said that for you we couldn’t use paper plates, we had to use fine china.
And with so many guests the system just couldn’t handle the extra weight.
Very insightful, that.
Well, there is THAT, of course...
I made a couple of phone calls to Utah, and found the “low income” housing for seniors is a misnomer. Only two are affordable and one of those is the one I’ve been waiting almost 18 months for. The other is actually run by USDA, a little different that HUD, but pretty much the same requirements.
Today’s mail contained an application for the latter, and in filling it out, I realized how stressed I was. I hope they don’t make me do it over for using Wite-Out.
I have to go back in to the pain clinic on the 26 to pick up my prescription. The doc said to call on the 25th for the renewal and she would authorize it. Another trip in the heat. Unngh.
While I was instant messaging on FB with the niece that was here last week, I clicked on a news article on my feed and got a virus, so I had to go through the whole nine yards of getting a restore point and waiting for it to restore the data.
It would be nice to have a little something to relax with, but the things I needed besides gas were more important than an Adult Beverage. *sigh*
And now I remember why FR being down was so hard for me. Ohwell.
If they did that, I’d get the T-shirt, for sure!!!
My version would be:
After umpteen Freepathons the system still crashed???
I use Psalms. Some of them can be discouraging, but most are relaxing and uplifting. Imagine how I would feel if I understood poetry?
That would seem to be something not to do again.
Absolutely. One never knows what one will catch, going to strange places.
And now, I’ve had enough Friday for one day.
It’s been a strange day from the time I got up. And the laptop is sending me ominous messages. I’ll be up for a while, I think...
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