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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: Monkey Face

I was out having my Exertions. Now I’m going to do dishes and laundry and stuff.


2,401 posted on 05/29/2017 6:03:50 AM PDT by Tax-chick ("There is no catastrophe from which someone does not benefit." ~Theodore Dalrymple)
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To: Tax-chick

The laundry is done on this end, and my back is killing me.

I didn’t park in my usual spot when I came back, but parked down by the mail boxes. I could park by Charlie’s but I’m afraid it would wake him and Cindy2 up when I backed out.

I just don’t understand Greg. I’m not going to make a big deal of it, though, because there isn’t enough time left here to worry about it.

By the time Ross parked on the other side of me I had to squeeze to get in the truck. Both he and Greg are parked right on the lines. They want room? They can have it.


2,402 posted on 05/29/2017 7:06:31 AM PDT by Monkey Face (If your knees bent the other way, what would a chair look like? ~~ Gallagher)
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To: Tax-chick; Monkey Face

If it weren’t for having chores to do, life would be nothing but exertions.


2,403 posted on 05/29/2017 7:08:03 AM PDT by NicknamedBob (If you can't do something well, you won't do anything good.)
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To: Monkey Face

It wouldn’t surprise me if a lot of people don’t have correct parking as their highest priority. DP is very picky about being perfectly centered, but since I park way away from everyone else, when possible, I don’t worry about it so much.

He’ll say, “There isn’t room for me to get out!” and I’ll say, “That’s funny, Tom just managed.”

There are six or seven vehicles parked across the street, now. With our four, movement is pretty constricted now. Sure would be nice if Bill would start hunting for an apartment ...


2,404 posted on 05/29/2017 7:10:00 AM PDT by Tax-chick ("There is no catastrophe from which someone does not benefit." ~Theodore Dalrymple)
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To: NicknamedBob

Indeed!

How are you today, Bob?


2,405 posted on 05/29/2017 7:10:59 AM PDT by Tax-chick ("There is no catastrophe from which someone does not benefit." ~Theodore Dalrymple)
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To: Tax-chick

My neighbor, Cindy1, is a real fanatic about parking and I threatened once to get her a Day-Glo vest, a whistle and a clipboard so she could direct the people as they pulled in to park.

When I was unloading the truck, she came out, on her way to somewhere for the holiday and started to complain about neighbors and how hard it was for her to park when she came home last night. *waa-waa-waa*

And for a while, at the laundromat, I forgot all about the mess in my living room. BWAHAHAHA!


2,406 posted on 05/29/2017 7:43:31 AM PDT by Monkey Face (If your knees bent the other way, what would a chair look like? ~~ Gallagher)
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To: Tax-chick
"How are you today, Bob?"

Passable.

I drive slow, you know.

2,407 posted on 05/29/2017 7:54:58 AM PDT by NicknamedBob (If you can't do something well, you won't do anything good.)
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To: NicknamedBob

We will all get there eventually, regardless of our velocity.


2,408 posted on 05/29/2017 8:04:50 AM PDT by Tax-chick ("There is no catastrophe from which someone does not benefit." ~Theodore Dalrymple)
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To: NicknamedBob
If it weren’t for having chores to do, life would be nothing but exertions.

Unless one is lazy...

2,409 posted on 05/29/2017 8:06:58 AM PDT by Monkey Face (If your knees bent the other way, what would a chair look like? ~~ Gallagher)
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To: Tax-chick

Is DP by any possible chance OCD? Jes’ axin’.


2,410 posted on 05/29/2017 8:08:10 AM PDT by Monkey Face (If your knees bent the other way, what would a chair look like? ~~ Gallagher)
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To: Monkey Face

No more than the rest of us. It’s just one of his things.


2,411 posted on 05/29/2017 8:09:51 AM PDT by Tax-chick ("There is no catastrophe from which someone does not benefit." ~Theodore Dalrymple)
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To: Tax-chick

Ah. Well, I seem to be getting more OCD as I age. But I figure I’ve lived long enough, I can just about get away with it. ;o]

In the meantime, I cleaned off the patio table and then hosed it and the chairs down, in case Charlie wants to come up here today for pizza. I’ll know in about an hour.

While I was doing that, I realized that Epic Fail Latino Lawn Service nicked my coiled hose in two places. I doubt I will get reimbursed for that, either by the manager or the Lawn Service. UNNGH!

The bed has been made, the ice cube trays have been filled and the hibiscus tea is steeping. Next on the agenda is to gather up the various waste baskets and take them to the dumpster.


2,412 posted on 05/29/2017 8:17:45 AM PDT by Monkey Face (If your knees bent the other way, what would a chair look like? ~~ Gallagher)
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To: Tax-chick; moose07; NicknamedBob; NoCmpromiz; Darksheare; Dead Corpse; HKMk23; Delta 21; All
I was trying to find the picture of this, but there is nothing but the article. I don't know how to search any deeper for it. :o[ I've seen it posted but I don't recall where, and I didn't think to save it.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-viet-nam-memorial-returns-met-20151208-story.html

2,413 posted on 05/29/2017 8:48:59 AM PDT by Monkey Face (If you're too open-minded, your brains fall out.)
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To: Monkey Face

You’ve been very busy! I’m going to cook some vegetables. Maybe it will be chicken salad eventually. Tom can grill the chicken.


2,414 posted on 05/29/2017 9:03:57 AM PDT by Tax-chick ("There is no catastrophe from which someone does not benefit." ~Theodore Dalrymple)
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To: Monkey Face

2,415 posted on 05/29/2017 9:50:05 AM PDT by moose07 (DMCS (Dit Me Cong San ) Forward to the glorious world of next Tuesday !)
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To: Monkey Face
hibiscus tea is steeping

Yesss...Ahhhhhhh....and relax.

2,416 posted on 05/29/2017 9:52:29 AM PDT by moose07 (DMCS (Dit Me Cong San ) Forward to the glorious world of next Tuesday !)
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To: moose07

YES!!! Thanks, Moosie!! <3


2,417 posted on 05/29/2017 10:21:10 AM PDT by Monkey Face (If you're too open-minded, your brains fall out.)
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To: moose07

This time, I saved it!!! *hugs*


2,418 posted on 05/29/2017 10:22:43 AM PDT by Monkey Face (If you're too open-minded, your brains fall out.)
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To: Monkey Face

Good :)
(((Hugs)))


2,419 posted on 05/29/2017 11:48:11 AM PDT by moose07 (DMCS (Dit Me Cong San ) Forward to the glorious world of next Tuesday !)
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To: moose07

YOU are a treasure, sir! <3 :o])


2,420 posted on 05/29/2017 12:10:00 PM PDT by Monkey Face (If you're too open-minded, your brains fall out.)
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