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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 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 ...
TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: allmvmebelongtous; google; koalaoil; molassesmiasma; monkeyfacerules; robocalypse; robotics; robotoverlords; undeadthread; undeadthreadhere
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To: Tax-chick
"Afternoon, all. I ignored the Teen Drama Event, so it fizzled into a Teen Inertia Event." Even parents who don't have cars have to drive their kids.
761
posted on
03/20/2017 6:58:40 PM PDT
by
NicknamedBob
(If you can't do something well, you won't do anything good.)
To: NicknamedBob
762
posted on
03/21/2017 2:35:46 AM PDT
by
Tax-chick
("If race is just a social construct, we might as well be honest about rewarding obnoxious behavior.")
To: Tax-chick; fanfan; ColdOne; Cyber Liberty; null and void; Anoreth; Monkey Face; ...
763
posted on
03/21/2017 2:37:20 AM PDT
by
Tax-chick
("If race is just a social construct, we might as well be honest about rewarding obnoxious behavior.")
To: Tax-chick
A marmalade squee to start my day. Excellent.
This morning, so far (45 minutes into it for me) I don’t feel too bad. That may change as I move around more.
I didn’t get the letter to my grandson written yesterday. My brane just fried itself before I could even pull up a blank sheet to work on. I will try again today.
Since I mailed out the letters concerning the meddling influence of the Klingon, I’m hoping this nomination, too, falls between the cracks and we can start over with real people and not hand-picked puppets.
764
posted on
03/21/2017 4:41:26 AM PDT
by
Monkey Face
(Often courage is that little voice at the end of the day that says "I'll try again tomorrow." TSM)
To: Monkey Face
Hope you have a better day than some others! I’m leaving for WW with whomever is in the van when I drive away. Say a prayer: Bill the Son is having an interview right now with an advertising company.
765
posted on
03/21/2017 5:44:35 AM PDT
by
Tax-chick
("If race is just a social construct, we might as well be honest about rewarding obnoxious behavior.")
To: Tax-chick
Prayer said.
I had the steroid, but I need the one for breathlessness. I have a bone spur on the first knuckle of my right big toe. I need to get some different shoes, but I don’t know what I need more: Shoes or a haircut.
766
posted on
03/21/2017 5:57:15 AM PDT
by
Monkey Face
(Often courage is that little voice at the end of the day that says "I'll try again tomorrow." TSM)
To: Monkey Face
My brane just fried itself before I could even pull up a blank sheet to work on. Your brane isn't running Microsoft, is it?
767
posted on
03/21/2017 6:05:46 AM PDT
by
ArGee
(In 2017 I resolve to respect liberals more - Oh, who am I kidding?????)
To: ArGee
Your brane isn't running Microsoft, is it?It may as well be.
768
posted on
03/21/2017 6:54:51 AM PDT
by
Monkey Face
(Often courage is that little voice at the end of the day that says "I'll try again tomorrow." TSM)
769
posted on
03/21/2017 11:54:36 AM PDT
by
ArGee
(In 2017 I resolve to respect liberals more - Oh, who am I kidding?????)
To: ArGee
Mine is. I’m dragging in slow motion through this and that. I went to Walmart.
770
posted on
03/21/2017 12:33:11 PM PDT
by
Tax-chick
("If race is just a social construct, we might as well be honest about rewarding obnoxious behavior.")
To: Tax-chick
WalMart will do that to you.
Today is just a “do stuff and stay off the Net” day I guess.
771
posted on
03/21/2017 3:59:15 PM PDT
by
ArGee
(In 2017 I resolve to respect liberals more - Oh, who am I kidding?????)
To: RoosterRedux
I want one!
That is really amazing. Like most radically new technology, it is unsettling at first. But I love it!
772
posted on
03/21/2017 4:05:14 PM PDT
by
TChris
("Hello", the politician lied.)
To: Tax-chick
773
posted on
03/21/2017 5:08:14 PM PDT
by
OddLane
To: TChris; RoosterRedux
"Like most radically new technology, it is unsettling at first. But I love it!" I've been trying to think of an easy and elegant way to convert wheeled motion to leg-walking. I think the right way is to control how the lowermost leg part has an extension mode, so that the vehicle can remain somewhat level over uneven terrain.
Should be easy with today's technology. Of course, nothing would beat the utility of the spider robot I designed about umpteen years ago. I'm surprised no one has built a few of those. They'd be perfect for farm work. You could go from picking apples to rescuing your tractor from a mud-bog.
774
posted on
03/21/2017 5:33:28 PM PDT
by
NicknamedBob
(If you can't do something well, you won't do anything good.)
Leaving this kitty here for when you all wake up.. ;-)
775
posted on
03/22/2017 1:01:19 AM PDT
by
NoCmpromiz
(John 14:6 is a non-pluralistic comment.)
To: OddLane
Yes, it is. I’m not sure I trust him, though.
776
posted on
03/22/2017 2:21:58 AM PDT
by
Tax-chick
("If race is just a social construct, we might as well be honest about rewarding obnoxious behavior.")
To: ArGee; fanfan; ColdOne; Cyber Liberty; null and void; Tax-chick; Anoreth; Monkey Face; ...
777
posted on
03/22/2017 2:23:03 AM PDT
by
Tax-chick
("If race is just a social construct, we might as well be honest about rewarding obnoxious behavior.")
To: NoCmpromiz
heh-heh! Floofy!
Thanks, NoC! I wonder what it would be like to have coffee this time of day instead of waiting for 0930 when I go outside.
778
posted on
03/22/2017 4:25:03 AM PDT
by
Monkey Face
(Often courage is that little voice at the end of the day that says "I'll try again tomorrow." TSM)
To: Tax-chick
Got any 7’s?
Marmalade squee, again! :o])
779
posted on
03/22/2017 4:26:22 AM PDT
by
Monkey Face
(Often courage is that little voice at the end of the day that says "I'll try again tomorrow." TSM)
To: Monkey Face
This orange kitteh has more white patches.
780
posted on
03/22/2017 4:29:05 AM PDT
by
Tax-chick
("If race is just a social construct, we might as well be honest about rewarding obnoxious behavior.")
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