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 ...
So the band played Sunday night in a church down in New Jersey. ‘Twas a good night but my knees are reminding me that they are not as young as they once were. And they really don’t like standing for three sets. And I am my own roadie in charge of both load and unload. And the equipment isn’t getting any lighter.
And now they’re saying I shouldn’t take ibuprofen because it will kill me. Or something. And so will acetaminophen. So I took naproxen.
Maybe I should chew on willow bark.. ;-)
Of course if we get asked I’d do it again..
Repeatedly attempt delivery to a house in Westchester that has an address not even remotely similar to the shipping address listed..
..Not that I witnessed such idiocy before.
No.
Never.
Our other Spanish music guy has a lot of heavy equipment, but he’s only in his 30s.
Final picture from camera of a paranormal a investigator out to disprove rumors of “basement cat”.
I view that as socially useful activity.
Basement Cat sees Camo Kitteh from yesterday. Not looking good. The story may not end well. For one of them. ;o]
Like that guy who lived with bears. Past tense.
Good morning! Looks like it’s going to be a sunbeam day here. High in the upper 60s.
Yes, he was really into bears.
At least one ...
Wow. I’ve been up almost four hours, and so far, the laundry has been washed, dried and/or hung, I’ve been to Walgreen’s and then Walmart, and came home to put the laundry away, and contemplate making the bed.
This will be a busy day. Morning. Tomorrow, I will make the dreaded drive into Vegas to get the prescription, then Wednesday, I have an appointment at 0430 for a fasting blood draw. I was going to gas up the truck this morning, but I’ve decided to do it tomorrow on my way out of town.
All that spending has been fun. But as usual, I had to use actual money. HAHAHA! ;o]
Now, I’m going to read a bit, and have my tea, then try to decide how I feel.
What a busy day you’ve had! I have been to Walmart. Now I’ll have lunch and then take Kathleen to her riding lesson.
And it’s not over, yet.
I just finished the last of the bills save one, and filling out all the pages of prying questions so I can get my whopping $16 in SNAP benefits, and now, I’m worn out.
The bed is still waiting to be made. And I’m going to beg off cooking spaghetti for Charlie, once again.
Chuck’s wake is Sunday, and I haven’t contributed to it, yet. I don’t know if I’ll be able to put in more than the cost of a six-pack, the way things are going. I still have to put gas in the truck.
Charlie will be going on the shuttle tomorrow, and I gave him $20 to get me some quarters. I just barely had enough this morning. No wonder I’m tired. The stress is making me crazy! GAH!
But then, I think, I’m alive and semi-well enough to complain about my lot in life, and in my prayer this morning, I thanked God for the simple things, like clean water to wash my clothes in! So I’m good.
Getting organized for Kathleen to ride. She’s too short to do much in the way of grooming and tacking-up.
Oh, here’s the yellow cat.
He’s young enough to be his own roadie. When you are thirty only when using the Sister Calendar because the Gregorian makes you old it gets a bit harder.
The keyboard and the amp are the heaviest items. The other peripherals are just many - music stand, music stand light, keyboard stand, power strip, wireless microphone, music (in a 3-ring binder), assorted cords, closeup glasses (the ‘reading’ prescription from my bifocals as a single lens).
Several of the youth from the church did carry out some of my stuff which was nice. Even though they carried out the wrong music stand. They did however put it carefully in my car from which location I had to retrieve it when I carried down the correct item. And then carried the music stand that belonged to their church back inside.. ;-)
And I did some shameless plugging for the Creation Festival so we’ll see if anyone from there wants to join our group campsite..
No idea how they took it to a house...
Pretty. I could live there.
Is it Monday Morning already?
Check that.
Is it Monday Afternoon already?
(This week has long written all over it.)
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