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 ...
In all the letter to SNRHA that Zeke and I have been sending, the recurring theme is his $20 in 25¢ and the “COPY” stamp that I wrote my name on. In order for that to come up missing, the person would have had to knowingly take it and take my name off. Or not, depending on how much conscience they had.
The money would have been easier to abscond with, but Zeke had it in there for people who needed laundry change.
Anyway, I’m off to Wally’s, then to the laundromat.
Good luck with both! I have the usual household entropy, followed by the physical therapist.
Done at the laundromat. The humidity is up and I’m soaked. I will hang up my wet clothes in a bit, but not until I’ve had a breathing treatment. These monsoon days are really ugly to me.
I’ve washed two dragons. Santana’s heat lamp burned out again. I could swear I bought two the last time, but if we have another, I can’t find it.
I’m leaving for the physical therapist in about 10 minutes. I burned some chickpeas I was roasting in the oven (for James’s fiber supplement ;-). Maybe the smoke alarm’s going off will cause Tom to stir.
Oh my! This must be Monday!
I stopped at Wally’s on my way to go wash, and the one register that was open had a line a mile long when I went past it, but when I was ready to check out, three more registers were open and that one had closed due to a computer problem. As I’m standing in line, I’m thinking like Stephen King, like first one register, and then the next, and then the next... And then the doors suddenly and mysteriously shut and lock. And then the lights start going off from the back of the store forward.
Then it was my turn, and I realized I hadn’t bought any Dunkin Donuts iced coffee... No wonder my mind was going walkabout — I needed coffee. I still do. But I have to go to the office in a few minutes and see what Casey and he pet beard want. I’ll have to think of a name for it.... It looks like it started as a goatee, and he just let it grow. But he’s bald. He shaves his head but not his face and the beard is about 12” long and straight. I think he waxes it. *shudder*
Elev 1988 ft 36.03 °N, 114.95 °W | Updated 24 sec ago
Clear 89.8 °F
Feels Like 91 °F
Wind from SE
Gusts 15.0 mph
Today is forecast to be Cooler than yesterday.
Today
High 105 | Low 84 °F
0% Chance of Precip.
Yesterday
High 108.9 | Low 88.9 °F
Precip. 0 in
Allergy Alert
Pressure 29.93 in
Visibility 10.0 miles
Clear
Heat Index 91 °F
Dew Point 63 °F
Humidity 41%
Rainfall
0.00 in
Snow Depth
Not available.
I’m back from the physical therapist. I sent Tom to PetSmart to get a new heat lamp for Santana. Maybe later I’ll go to Walmart. Even if weird things happen with the lights, it has skylights to light daylight in.
Tagline.
Well, that was a useless trip. I went to the office and Eddie was there waiting for me, and at 0800, the office door opened from the inside. It was Phelan, the HAS-I (whatever that means) and he said Casey wouldn’t be in until 0930. I told him that if Casey wants to reach me, he can text me. I’ve heard nothing from either of them.
BUT! I showed Eddie the card, my complaint and the meeting form with “resolution,” and he said what Casey did was called, legally: Retaliation. It’s not my fault that Casey took the complaint personally, but what I do know is that in the future, I won’t have any meetings with Casey unless Eddie is with me. Period.
Great tagline!!! LOL!
Maybe Casey’s beard will eat his head.
Back from naptime, which was interrupted by a dispute between James and Kathleen and wafts of burnt-chickpea scent. Santana is happy with his new heat lamp. Tom has gone back to his computer game.
I got an email from an adult staffer at Camp Grimes who said Tom was “very interesting to talk to ... and his brothers, so original ...” and could she have his email address regarding Chemistry tutoring. *sigh* Ain’t nothin’ like Tom the Son.
Speaking of sons, OldTax-lady read an article about computer programming in the WSJ this morning (I know, because I read it too), and sent me an email saying she would pay to send Pat to computer camp. However, the “season” ends next week, and they’re all full, so it will have to be next summer, or maybe Christmas break.
'Cept maybe Rocket the Galactic Defender.
Bummer.
The water pump in the washingmachinething seized up. Of course without pumping out the contents of the tub.
Coupling to the pump is plastic and integral with the pump. When it seized up, the motor managed to chew the plastic coupler to many fine powderlike bits.
Located one in Lancaster, PA (oem replacement as opposed to Genuine Whirlpool Parts) at a significant savings over what manufacturers part would be and with free shipping to boot.
I had to replace the water pump in this once before because it started leaking around the seal. I’m thinking this is a ‘planned’ replacement part - once every five years whether you like it or not.. I’d be upset if I had to pay the $50 that Whirlpool wants for their part, but for $12 and free shipping I can replace four pumps for the Whirlpool price.
Speaking of the holdout kitty, she was in her safe space on the roof of the 'Florida room' out of reach of the Coy O'Tays. (They can't climb the lilac tree like she can.. ;-) However, she didn't express an interest in coming inside since it wasn't raining. I got the 'yeah Human, I'm here, Whaddaya gonna do about it' look.
She didn't come in until daylight this morning.
I’ve had some bad experiences with that, myself.
They don’t make ‘em like they used to. Used to be, you could just let the drain hose down and the water was pulled into the sink, bathtub or lawn, depending on where the machine was.
But congratulations on the replacement part. Is that eBay free shipping? Or is it Amazon Prime “free” shipping. Somehow, spending $10 a month for “free” shipping doesn’t sound very free to me. Which is why, when I have to buy something, I search on eBay first.
Wow. I dreamed someone gave me lots of plants. There was no floof in it, though. Disappointing.
Good morning!
Good morning. I think I dreamed about snow, because I’m reading a fantasy novel set in Russia.
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