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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: ArGee; null and void; anyone

Do you know if Windoze backup updates the system image also or will the system image on my backup drive be at the original state when it was made on first install (I think before SP1..)


301 posted on 03/07/2017 11:48:27 AM PST by NoCmpromiz (John 14:6 is a non-pluralistic comment.)
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To: ArGee; Tax-chick; Monkey Face; moose07

And I will join everyone but you in avoiding Manhattan today... ;-)


302 posted on 03/07/2017 11:51:48 AM PST by NoCmpromiz (John 14:6 is a non-pluralistic comment.)
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To: NoCmpromiz

Don’t know. I don’t use Windoze backup. And now I don’t use Windoze at all.

Sorry I can’t help more with that one.


303 posted on 03/07/2017 12:01:30 PM PST by ArGee (In 2017 I resolve to respect liberals more - Oh, who am I kidding?????)
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To: NoCmpromiz

Can you convince about 10 million others to avoid it so I’ll have an easier commute?


304 posted on 03/07/2017 12:01:58 PM PST by ArGee (In 2017 I resolve to respect liberals more - Oh, who am I kidding?????)
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To: NoCmpromiz; Tax-chick; ArGee

I postponed a lot of things today because I’m just too tired to Adult.

And I’m going to go to bed in about 30 minutes. Or less. I may not sleep, but being in bed will prevent me from any activities that will prolong the fatigue relapse. I need to get over it ASAP.

I can do that best by giving in to it, though I’m sure some people think that’s the wrong approach. I know from experience that it’s what I need to do, and so I will...

And tomorrow is another day...


305 posted on 03/07/2017 12:10:44 PM PST by Monkey Face (If you fuel your journey on the opinions of others, you're going to run out of gas.~LDS daily quotes)
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To: ArGee

If I had the power to do that I would have used it to my benefit during the years I was doing the get-into-the-City run.

The best method for me (toward the end) was get to Secaucus and train into Penn Station and take the mugger mover to where ever..


306 posted on 03/07/2017 12:12:11 PM PST by NoCmpromiz (John 14:6 is a non-pluralistic comment.)
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It says it can’t find a system image, even though from CMD it shows the directory.

Not a good sign.


307 posted on 03/07/2017 4:38:13 PM PST by NoCmpromiz (John 14:6 is a non-pluralistic comment.)
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To: Tax-chick; fanfan; ColdOne; Cyber Liberty; null and void; Anoreth; Monkey Face; ...

308 posted on 03/08/2017 1:58:44 AM PST by Tax-chick (Reality does not go away when we close our eyes. It only disappears from our view.)
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To: NoCmpromiz

Ohnoes... Shall we have a wake for the machine?


309 posted on 03/08/2017 4:13:18 AM PST by Monkey Face (If you fuel your journey on the opinions of others, you're going to run out of gas.~LDS daily quotes)
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To: Tax-chick

What a cute squee! I see you made it back from your event safely.

I had about the same problem as I had last night, and it’s not looking good for the day, either.

There were also dreams of a kitten/child who didn’t really care for me, but wanted He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named and his Significant Other. But this “creature” would take French fries from me. And then the alarm rang. And all I could think of was, “Saved by the bell.” *shudder* It had hands that were a cross between hands and cat paws, complete with Velcro.

Now, I’m off to the shower to wash some of the ugly out of my brain.


310 posted on 03/08/2017 4:29:06 AM PST by Monkey Face (If you fuel your journey on the opinions of others, you're going to run out of gas.~LDS daily quotes)
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To: Monkey Face

Oh, unnngh. You shouldn’t have to deal with all that!

Ah, here is Vlad back from the shower. Dr. Hall mentioned that boys who are 11 should shower more often ;-).


311 posted on 03/08/2017 4:33:37 AM PST by Tax-chick (Reality does not go away when we close our eyes. It only disappears from our view.)
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To: Tax-chick

From the time my son was old enough to bathe on his own, he took a bath or shower every single night when he was still at home. From what I know of him now, he still does it. The teen years were hard for him, wanting to shower before school and then before bed. ;o]

Yes, well, I would go have a haircut this morning to boost my morale, but I still have to contribute to the wake and there is one more bill to pay... *le sigh*


312 posted on 03/08/2017 5:20:06 AM PST by Monkey Face (If you fuel your journey on the opinions of others, you're going to run out of gas.~LDS daily quotes)
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To: Monkey Face

As a professional dream interpreter my interpretation is:

You need to forget about He Who Shall Not Be Named.

Fortunately for you, I don’t charge.


313 posted on 03/08/2017 5:30:39 AM PST by ArGee (In 2017 I resolve to respect liberals more - Oh, who am I kidding?????)
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To: ArGee

Fortunately for YOU you don’t charge because you’d be sending me dunners! ;o]


314 posted on 03/08/2017 5:41:20 AM PST by Monkey Face (If you fuel your journey on the opinions of others, you're going to run out of gas.~LDS daily quotes)
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To: ArGee; Monkey Face; Tax-chick
"Fortunately for you, I don’t charge."

What? I thought psychiatric help only cost five cents.

I guess I would have been surprised if I had ever needed any.

315 posted on 03/08/2017 5:50:55 AM PST by NicknamedBob (If you can't do something well, you won't do anything good.)
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To: ArGee; Monkey Face; NicknamedBob

Tom the Son is doing a dance based on observing the behavior of Dragonbaby. He’s calling it “the Blood Boogie.” I think I need psychiatric help.


316 posted on 03/08/2017 6:08:51 AM PST by Tax-chick (Reality does not go away when we close our eyes. It only disappears from our view.)
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To: NicknamedBob

You’d also be surprised if Lucy was your real psychiatrist.

Me? I knit and crochet, and you have no idea how many therapy sessions I’ve had that ended up with all my woes given to someone else, firmly worked into the item I made for them. ;o]

I’ll see a psychiatrist just for his job security.


317 posted on 03/08/2017 6:30:01 AM PST by Monkey Face (If you fuel your journey on the opinions of others, you're going to run out of gas.~LDS daily quotes)
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To: Tax-chick

Perhaps Tom the Son is practicing for something bigger and better, like becoming a diesel mechanic. Is he still taking classes for that?

This morning, since I can’t get my hair cut, I will make phone calls. Let’s just hope I don’t stutter too much.

It looks like Chuck’s sister will be staying with me. I have no idea what to feed her for the two days she will be here. I’m sure they (she and Chuck’s friend Kenny) thought they would be staying at the Fiesta just down the street, but, as luck would have it, the annual St Pat’s Day parade is Saturday, on Water Street, and NASCAR will be at the Speedway all weekend, so I don’t think Pat and Kenny will find a room.

The place is mostly clean, but I will have to change the bedding, once I know for sure.

Kenny can find his own sleeping place. Probably with Zeke.


318 posted on 03/08/2017 6:40:16 AM PST by Monkey Face (If you fuel your journey on the opinions of others, you're going to run out of gas.~LDS daily quotes)
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To: Monkey Face

Even though St Pat’s is next Friday, I could make some corned beef and cabbage, if I had some to make. The casinos wouldn’t be quite so packed so we could go there, but the smoke...

Ohwell...


319 posted on 03/08/2017 6:54:40 AM PST by Monkey Face (If you fuel your journey on the opinions of others, you're going to run out of gas.~LDS daily quotes)
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To: Monkey Face

Tom is back to studying sciences. He’s taking biology and chemistry. He was saying the other day that he really loves economics, but there’s a huge glut of economics graduates. He’s better off with a tougher major, like chemistry.


320 posted on 03/08/2017 7:15:34 AM PST by Tax-chick (Reality does not go away when we close our eyes. It only disappears from our view.)
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