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 ...
Oh. Yes. There is that.
I should be in bed, but I’m defragging this beast to see if I can increase the speed a little and decrease the load time. What I really need is a better computer, but that’s not going to happen until I get moved.
This has been a strange day, all the way around. I just want to close my eyes and wait for the New Day Bunny to come around and tell me my life will be good because it’s a new day. Ha-ha.
On my way back from the post orifice, I stopped at Wally’s to see if I could find some Dunkin Donuts coffee. I did, and almost ran into Charlie! He was on the shuttle today, and usually walks to Walmart from the bank, if his knees feel good enough. Anyway, I was in a hurry and told him I’d see him tomorrow.
Good luck! I’m done with the pantry.
What a pretty floof!
My mouse died so I had to put new batteries in it and in the kitchen clock. I think new batteries might make me feel better, too, but I don’t think the top of my head will come off to insert them.
The conjunction of the cat picture with “my mouse died” had me thinking something totally different!
I’m going to look through my bills and pay any that are due in the near future, and then probably go to Walmart before it gets really hot. We had about 3” of rain last night.
I’ve been seeing pics of the T-storms and flash flooding that have hit Henderson for the last few days, but all we’ve had here is enough rain drops to turn the dust on my car into mud. It really needs a cover, but I’m thinking it will be a while before that happens. Like, after a new computer, which will take place after I move.
The more I think about an RV or manufactured home, the more I like the idea. It will have to wait until I get up there, though.
I’d go to Wally’s but it would just be for beer for the spaghetti dinner I want to make. Charlie will share that with me, but I’d like to give him some beer, because he only drinks coffee and beer, and occasionally water. No soft drinks, no wine, no tea.
And how can one go to Walmart for just BEER?
The problem with going to Walmart for “just beer” is that you end up buying other stuff.
See? But I don’t have enough for anything but beer or rice pudding and potato salad, so I won’t go just yet. The spaghetti will wait.
It’s only 89° right now, with a high foregnosticated of 96°. It’s overcast and windy.
I bought a small plastic tub in which to keep onions, so we don’t get onion skin bits all over the floor of the pantry. And I bought a large plastic bin in which to put all my Cub Scouts supplies. They’ve been in diaper boxes for many years, but the boxes are falling apart, and we no longer buy diapers, whoo-hoo!
My patio is a cool 79° with 55%, windy, cloudy, and some rain, though not enough to wash the truck.
I’m fiddling with the files, because I had to shut this down, due to the closeness of the lightning. However, I have a lot of stuff filed, now, and though it’s not exactly the way I wanted it, it is filed, and I can probably put the file bins away by this afternoon, if I keep going.
Usually, when I have to leave in the middle of something, I end up not going back to it that day. I just seem to lose the momentum.
Oh, yes! Shop Therapy is often good for what ails one!
Some of my patio is wet. And wouldn’t you know? My stomach has decided to be upset? Dang it.
I suspect this is going to be another in a series of strange days. My vision is playing tricks on me, too. So I’m not optimistic about what else I’ll get done.
Sorry about your stomach! I also got a cantaloupe.
Cantaloupe sounds good, but the ones this Walmart has are usually very green. If they don’t smell like cantaloupe, they won’t taste like it, either.
It’s raining pretty good, right now, with lots of water in the streets. I don’t want to be any farther downhill than I am.
“If they don’t smell like cantaloupe, they won’t taste like it, either.”
That’s my rule. These don’t taste quite as good as they smell, but they’re pretty good for the price, which is less than $2 each.
We used to live in a place that flooded. Very annoying.
On Monday, there was a post on our “NextDoor” message board asking for people to help with packing and loading for a move, 15/hr. Tom and James said they were interested, so a posted a reply regarding a 20-year-old son, very big and strong (and his brother, not as big), and said they were honest and would work hard.
Today, I got a note from a small businessman, painting and construction, asking if Tom wanted more work. After checking with Tom, I passed along his email address and the information that he is experienced in painting and repairs and has references. If packing help is 15/hr, this seems like an opportunity for Tom to earn quite a bit with variable hours.
I hope this proves to be a good thing for Tom and that he is employed all summer by someone. James could always use a little spending money, too, I’m sure.
My son has started his handyman business, and I hope he advertises in the right places. He has lots of experience doing that kind of thing, from when he was about 12, and mowed lawns. He always used the client’s mower until he had made enough to buy his own, and from that time on, the sky was the limit for him. He has never been unemployed for long, because if he had to, he would even deliver pizzas. So good for Tom and James!!
We’re getting a good rain, today, and we really do need it, though there will always be those idiots who don’t pay attention. Insurance companies love this kind of weather, here.
I’m back. Has Western Civilization collapsed yet?
I've been around computers for a long time, especially considering the other earths. But I've never heard of one with a mouse that routed its signal through the kitchen clock.
Did you say RV?
Were you getting Cub Scouts supplies skin bits all over the floor of the pantry?
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