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 youll 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, Handles 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 ...
One of my friends in Texas attended a high school whose sports teams were called “The Fighting Ganders.”
In other animal kingdom news, I went up to put dishtowels in the laundry basket and found someone had peed on the floor of the laundry room. I suspect a cat, if only because a boy would have produced more of a splash pattern. (Also, most of the boys are at camp.)
That must be the Aflack duck...
Oh, that's disgusting....
I've had my shower and will go have breathing treatment before I go unlock the clubhouse. And I think that's going to be the high point of my day. I was hoping to go to church to hear Eddie's talk, but that requires too much energy.
[I could swear I smell green onions frying in preparation for a breakfast of some kind...:oO ]
All I can smell now is Pine-Sol. Maybe I should fry some onions up to improve things.
I’ll go unlock the clubhouse, and then come back and have the breathing treatment.
This is a day for T-H-E S-L-O-W-S...
Don’t try to overdo things!
I need to find out whether Sally need to get to church for bake-sale participation.
One thing I learned when I finally realized I had CFIDS, way back when, was that if I push myself, it will be worse for me, with more symptoms, more severe symptoms and longer lasting symptoms. The best thing to overcome it is just to let it happen until it runs its course.
The Sherlock Holmes museum.
:oO ! What. Is. THAT???
I want to save the pic but need to know what that lovely beastie is.
Ex-GW Hawksworth '9400' 0-6-0PT at Southall Locomotive Depot
Oh, wow! Thanks, Covenantor! :o])
As Covenantor said it is a GWR 0-6-0 PT.
They where used for light goods and branch line work.
Some where rebuilt saddle tanks other where built as is.
There where ,no exaggeration, hundreds of them built.
24 of them are still known to be in existence.
Kids love them from the Railway story books.
Droid image made your original post look like a painting/illustration...until I zoomed in. Outstanding photography!
Considering the background fog , the photographer has achieved a cracking job of it.
Probably a CCD the size of a football stadium. :)
Good gravy, just imagine dusting all that!
Can no one straighten a lamp?
Maybe Holmes arranged the lamps like that for a specific purpose, and the housecleaner is afraid to touch them.
Afternoon, folks. Pat, James, and Vlad are home from their backpacking trip and have washed. Their laundry is underway.
Kathleen made a friend yesterday playing outside. She wanted to go over to her house this afternoon. She told me the mother spoke Spanish but the little girl, whose name she had forgotten, spoke English. No problem. However, when we arrived at the house, I realized she meant a Polish family! (They have an electrical contracting business.)
Fortunately, the mother speaks adequate English. They were very pleasant and said their little girl, who is about 8 and has toy horses, will walk Kathleen back up the street at 5.
Thomas the Tank Engine.
When he grows up..
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