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 ...
Awwww...squee! Only a 20% chance of rain today, lucky us.
My poor truck got the worst of things, yesterday. All the little black cootie-things from the palm tree are all over it and it desperately needs to be washed. Now, of course, I’ll have to wait for the monsoon to be over with, because when it isn’t raining, the wind from the approaching and departing storms will dump a ton of dust on it. I have to resign myself to a tan car until the end of the monsoon.
Lucky me, there were no emails from Bill the Nephew, this morning. I’ve tried to tell him that if I sound exasperated, it’s because of CFIDS and nothing that he has done. He doesn’t believe me. So I’m going to copy a sheet from the CFIDS file and send it to him along with a couple of other things that didn’t make it into the last packet.
***
Jeeze... I opened a new window for something (check email?) and that was 45 minutes ago.
*tagline*
Regarding your tagline; if your mind is anything like mine, it’s probably more comfortable in the trash.
That’s where all my ideas come from.
Good tagline. I still like my current one.
Pat is working on Calculus again. He has charge of the computer until I leave for my physical therapy appointment. Then Vlad gets to do math.
I have a something-pad that DP bought me years ago. Maybe I’ll get him to fire it up so I can run other stuff while all the boys are doing math all the time.
Morning, Bob. Nice day here, thank Thor.
Yah. I know. I have some of your stories. And the first three pages of the new story was barely human. *kof-kof*
Thor’s days usually get a good reception. The ones you have to watch out for are the ones that come from the moon.
I have worse. Longer, too. Let me know when you're ready.
If you have a something-pad, and it’s Wi-Fi equipped, it can turn out to be valuable and indispensable in a house full of school-aged people who have computer classes.
I found a recipe for crock pot Mongolian beef, and now I’ve got the hongries for it. I don’t think Walmart sells flank steak, so I’ll have to go to Smith’s for it. I hope I have enough. That and some steamed rice could feed me for a day or two. (Looks like Charlie will have to wait for the spaghetti.) The hardest part of the recipe is slicing the beef.
You can send them any time, Bob. Don’t be shy. ;o]
(Wait. What am I saying? I forgot who I was talking to!)
Those moon days seem to come two to a week, now.
To quote myself, "Every day is Monday, except Friday."
The beef sounds good. Our Walmart sells flank steak.
If you want the recipe, I’ll be glad to give it to you. Doesn’t sound spicy at all. Which is good for me.
This stinking cusswordy dirtybasket of a desk bit my right arm again, not even 1-1/2” away from the last one. GAHHH!
Bill the Nephew and Kathy the Wife sent me a really cute card to thank me for all the work I’ve done. I think, if I weren’t in the middle of trying to get the sorting and filing done, I would really enjoy what I’m doing for them.
Anyway, it’s a good thing I saved so many things related to genealogy.
Sorry about your arm. I had a rest after physical therapy. Vlad’s doing math ...
I need to start supper. Later I’ll go to Wal-Mart. Almost out of apples.
Epic Fail Speedy Lawn Service is here today, and I’m tired of the noise, the fumes and the dust. *blech*
My arm? If it weren’t for the fact that I have fragile skin, I could probably deal with it. But any cut means the skin will be pulled back just far enough for the nerves to be exposed and for the capillaries to produce massive quantities of blood. (Or as my niece said, when she was a tiny tot, “Look, Nana! Bleed!”) Yes, that. ;o]
I should head for bed but I’m a little wired right now. I’ve looked all over creation for a “document holder” so I can get this personal history typed up for Bill the Nephew. He wants MY personal history, but I’m stuck in 1964, and can’t seem to get past it. *sheesh*
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Hi, Moon!
*waves*
CA Educator: Algebra Is a 'Civil Rights' Issue. Get Rid Of It.
Of course it's from the land of fruits and nuts..
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