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 ...
The BEST patriotic song in the last 30 years. If you think of another, let me know.
Yes, it’s a good song.
We’re about to have a storm.
Squeeful!
Good morning! I took two days off from sorting and shredding so today, I’ll have to put my nose to the grindstone and start making some progress.
The spider bite on my neck was really angry yesterday, so I finally just took a bottle of water from the fridge and held it on the bite for about a minute. It did wonders!
I was hoping my deposit would be in so I could go to Wally’s, but it didn’t show up overnight. Still, there is time. I just hate shopping with the horde of the Great Unwashed.
I need ink!
I’m waiting until tomorrow to see my bank balance. Hopefully there won’t be an unpleasant surprise, after five days.
Bill the Blond Belle left for work without his backpack. He came back for it. Maybe some day he’ll learn to put his phone up for a few minutes so that his brain will work.
Now I’m off to the shower, then leaving for Weight Watchers at 8:45 EDT. DP said he hopes it “goes well.” I said it always goes well, because I’m always happy to see all my friends and try to be a blessing to them.
I was regaled by two versions of President Reagan’s favorite hymn, one by the army chorus and symphony and one by five soldiers with different stringed instruments. That got me to thinking.
I will be in Payson in September, and will visit my parents’ graves. I found the map and where they are, so I should be able to find the graves fairly easily. I hope.
Now, I’ll have my hibiscus tea and then start what I left undone on Saturday. I hope I can make a lot of progress today, so I can get the mess out of my living room.
Odd...I can’t imagine you ever NOT being a blessing to those around you. Including Bill the Blond Belle and his brain-attached phone. Maybe he’ll find an apartment and move out. Of course, I could come for an extended visit and start to tease him about being middle-aged and still living in his parents’ attic/basement. ;o]
Due to a series of unfortunate events, I am not going to Weight Watchers. I view this all as an opportunity, one way or another. Also saving $15 ;-).
If we only had an attic or basement!
Well, darn. I’m sorry to hear that, as I know you enjoy going to WW.
You could always read more in “Journey to Zion.” Unless you’ve finished it, of course. I only average about three pages a day.
And now, I’m back to shredding, since I can’t pay my bills or go to Wally’s for ink and stamps... I have a couple little something elses to send you, but. Stamps.
Simply thinking of the hardships of the pioneers puts one’s minor glitches into perspective. For my next thing, I’m going to take the Youth to the library, and then I’ll see if I can’t accomplish something else before the Crash hits.
Good morning, All! I trust everyone had a good Memorial day.
We had rain.
Yep. I have to get the shredding out of the way and try to sort some things into files. I’m NOT taking all this with me! Period!
With any luck at all, I can get it done this week. I hope. *sheesh* The meeting tomorrow, then the prescription, then *gack* Friday.
At Weight Watchers, the less you see of your associates, the better it all works out.
Most meetings close with the leader’s saying, “I’ll see less of you next week!”
I guess it is rather close to Gack Friday. However, it’s not a new month until Thursday, which means I don’t have the Stewardship meeting until next Wednesday.
Well, now.
Re: Post 2402
I parked down by the mail boxes, and when Greg came home from dialysis, he parked right next to me. I spoke to him and he said he was going to park somewhere besides where he has parked for 16 years. I told him I was tired of having my doors dinged.
When I came in to take my pills, I checked to see if the deposit was in, and yes it was. So I went down the street for a can of brewski. On the way home, my brain was working overtime.
It’s very possible that Greg has made a complaint against me, for whatever reason, and that is what the gig was about. I will find out tomorrow. When I came back from the Arco station, I parked at a sharper angle than when I left. If Greg follows suit, I will be very upset.
And I’ll have to find somewhere else to park my truck. This is really unsettling for me.
If it’s not one thing, it’s another!
Things are limping along here. Tom took DP to the dentist, and Tom will coordinate getting Frank to swim practice, retrieving DP, and potentially getting the truck back from the mechanic. Meanwhile, I’ll load up everyone else and take them to Matthews, where Sally has a meeting with someone from the theater regarding a trainee position in light and sound operations, and then I’ll get them to the pool.
It’s also possible that swim practice will be cancelled for weather, but there’s nothing yet.
The bills have been “paid,” lacking only stamps to put the checks in the mail, and early in the morning, I’ll go to Walmart and get some grocks, then park in another place altogether. If Greg continues to follow me around, then I will know it is him that is the icky person and not just my imagination.
There are a lot of places around here to park, and push comes to shove, I can go park at my attorney’s house, which is just down the street from here.
Why in the world, after 11 years, would Greg decide to be a jerk to me? Normally, if something bothers him, he will talk to me about it, so this is really odd. Hmpf.
It’s overcast, now and my back is hurting a bit. But I did manage to get the pile of papers off my floor, though there are still plenty more where those came from! Tomorrow, when I get back from Walmart, I’ll do some more sorting, and after that, I should have enough to shred.
Moving to Utah is now taking on an entirely new meaning for me, with this latest episode of the parking variety. *sheesh* I really don’t need this.
It’s good that Sally is taking an interest in theater, doing something besides acting.
I read over the House Rules again, and still can’t figure out what the problem is. There just is no reason for me to be called in for anything. I was a military wife, living in base housing, for too many years to break any “silly-vilian” rules, as Igor called them. So this is curiouser and curiouser.
Congrats on your shredding, and I hope the parking situation works out. Maybe he’ll just get over it!
One of my church friends is a paid employee at the Matthews Theater, and she called and told us they were looking to train someone for lights and sound. Sally said the interviewer said they would let her know when prep for a show was starting.
There was a convenient park, so the boys and Kathleen played while I walked around a track. I saw two bluebirds and a Bill Cardinal with his Mrs. Also squirrels.
I’m glad to be off my feet for a few minutes. DP or Tom can pick the final group up at the pool in half an hour. The weather cleared up nicely.
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