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BigDog Robot Grabs, Lifts, and Throws Cinder Blocks With Its New Arm
cylonlover writes "Boston Dynamics' BigDog may have already been replaced by the beefier LS3, but that doesn't mean it's totally obsolete. Today the company unveiled a version of the quadruped equipped with an arm where a head (or tail) would go. As can be seen in a slightly disquieting video, it's powerful enough to lift and toss a heavy cinder block. Key to this work, funded by the U.S. Army Research Laboratory, is that BigDog uses the dynamic forces of its whole body to help it throw the cinder block. It begins by taking several steps to the side before quickly accelerating as it swings its arm, temporarily launching itself into the air in the process. This approach is similar to the way an athlete winds up before throwing a discus, for example, and greatly enhances the robot's throwing power. Since few robots are as capable as BigDog when it comes to balance, it's an excellent platform to test these sorts of strenuous actions."
Considering the military is preparing for a future of cyber warfare. I find it interesting that we are willing to put war fighters into suits that assist with body movements. You know they will have connectivity eventually. I mean, what if the Chinese hack into the systems that control these suits. They would have a whole battalion playing twister in no time :)
Anyone think about the giant dog from Half Life?
Video of the cinder block toss by Big Dog.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jvLalY6ubc
And a Rick Astley video, well just because it was tempting....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyViVmaBQDg
come get the blocks, and don't f*** with me!
I was hoping the big dog would throw one of those chihuahuas from "Beverly Hills Chihuahua".
I would love to see how far it would go.
There are two types of people in the world: Those who crave closure
Once it can throw chairs, Balmer should worry about keeping his job.
An industrial robot from 2000 could've decapitated three people with the cinderblock and in the same swing thrown it twice as far.
Cinderblock throwing have never really been any industry metric of robot strength though, but they've been very strong for a long while.
That chassis supports batteries since 2008 when they demonstrated the fucking thing in their parking lot. And if not batteries it could probably run with a diesel generator.
The cables are there because
1.It's easier to develop a device that you can run without swapping batteries all the time
2. Support cables to prevent it from falling over when you test and fine tune the movement algorithms
Ath leath ith juth hith your footh...
Self proclaimed typo king, and inventor of the bear destroying coffee table (patent not pending).
Yes, but those machines are securely bolted to the floor and have maximum leverage. They weren't walking on legs at the same time and have to deal with balancing themselves whilst throwing the block..
You're messin' with my Zen Thing, man.....
The real application is obviously dwarftossing
I firmly believe that the US military's focus on monotheistic cultures, coupled with the USMC and DARPA's involvement in Boston Dynamics, points to a vast and intricate conspiracy, facilitated by the US government, to engineer a scenario where CNN will one day show people running through the streets amidst screams of "Oh My God! Ponies!"
Honestly, it's a textbook Illuminati hazing ritual.
How can I believe you when you tell me what I don't want to hear?
BigDog: PLEASE PUT DOWN YOUR WEAPON. YOU HAVE 20 SECONDS TO COMPLY.
(drops gun)
BigDog: YOU NOW HAVE 15 SECONDS TO COMPLY.
what could possibly go wrong?
- For the complete works of Shakespeare: cat
BigDog: PLEASE PUT DOWN THE SNAUSAGE. YOU HAVE 20 SECONDS TO COMPLY.
(drops gun)
BigDog: YOU NOW HAVE 15 SECONDS TO COMPLY.
what could possibly go wrong?
FTFY
Do android dogs dream of electric mailmen?
Ceci n'est pas un sig.
you forgot 3. If it goes crazy and starts trying to kill everyone, it looses power after a few feet.