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 ...
Good morning. Wish you the best on your arachnid eradication and your shredding. I’ve been out for my walk. Some people got up, others not. Next, I’m going to watch a Tai Chi video and then take a shower.
I’ve had my shower, sorted the pills, hunted the tiny spiders to eradication (I hope) and watched as the bite on my neck continues to swell and itch. I will take another Benadryl if I have to, but I keep applying Caladryl to it to lessen the urge to scratch and spread the poison.
I also sent an email to Walgreen’s about my Gabapentin, and was told by SW Medical on Friday, that I can’t get my prescription for morphine until Tuesday. Ungh.
With that stupid meeting about “house rules,” I won’t be able to get the prescription until Thursday. I suspect the “house rules” meeting is about the patio, with items being placed on the patio table for eventual pick up, tubs awaiting items and an electronics box (US Military, given me by the late Igor) full of papers to be shredded. Or not. They are so old... I will think about that a little longer.
Anyway, they can’t gig me because I’m moving out and the entire patio will then be clean! YAY!
It’s National Hamburger Day. Why couldn’t they have it on a day when I had money? Dang! Heh. My body wouldn’t know how to react with a hamburger. Actually, a cheeseburger. I don’t like hamburgers without cheese.
I didn’t know it was National Hamburger Day, but I don’t think it will make any difference. I finished the Tai Chi lesson, and now I’m going to wash dishes before taking a shower.
The local talking heads informed those us who have enquiring minds that it’s National Hamburger Day. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have known, either.
I just went through what genealogy I had printed up from 2010, and I’m missing about half of what I need to send to my brother. But that’s OK. I don’t have any ink, anyway. Payday can’t some soon enough. This week, for sure!
For some reason, I’m getting excited about October, though I’ve been close to panic when I think of loading the truck and being in between places to sleep. *sheesh* I must be getting old. This never bothered me before.
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Sounds very earth friendly as well.
It’s actually a bit labor intensive. Sedan chairs only work at a walking pace.
Bicycles are more efficient.
They have enough floofs so they could very well be Maine coons. And the faces are so squee!
Fluffy!
This was on FB, put there by a FRiend and my eyes leaked. So I have to post it.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/eEs4ke7cdNQ?feature=player_detailpage%25
That looks like a ball of floofy lint with eyes!
I’m really wishing the laundromat was open at 0400 instead of 0500, especially on the days when I have to wash linens.
It’s a good thing payday is coming because I’ll have to add about $30 to the debit card. It costs about a dollar more a week than it did here. But ohwell. The water is clean and the place has security cameras, so I’m good.
If you pick up the kitten, you’d find there’s nothing there but the floof. It’s a trick.
I’ve put some sheets in the wash and will do more later.
Trickssster kitteh...
Maybe it’s a dust bunny in disguise!
Look what’s coming!
EEP!Not the E-bil Dust Bunnehs!
I was waiting for you to pounce on it...it’s time I shared.
Honest.
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