Leaked Video Shows New 'Nightmare-Inducing' Wheeled Robot From Boston Dynamics (theverge.com)

Boston Dynamics has a reputation for building robots which push the boundaries of robotics technology, although with a slightly creepy persona. Its latest robot is no different. From a report on The Verge: The company's new wheeled, upright robot is named Handle ("because it's supposed to handle objects") and looks like a cross between a Segway and the two-legged Atlas bot. Handle hasn't been officially unveiled, but was shown off by company founder Marc Raibert in a presentation to investors. Footage of the presentation was uploaded to YouTube by venture capitalist Steve Jurvetson. Raibert describes Handle as an "experiment in combining wheels with legs, with a very dynamic system that is balancing itself all the time and has a lot of knowledge of how to throw its weight around." He adds that using wheels is more efficient than legs, although there's obviously a trade-off in terms of maneuvering over uneven ground. "This is the debut presentation of what I think will be a nightmare-inducing robot," says Raibert.

Comments

This is Awesome

[Thelasko]

So many years have been spent trying to make a robot than can walk. However, this is better. This is a robot that can roller skate. It's faster than walking or running, but just as agile!

Re:This is Awesome

[BradleyUffner]

It's faster than walking or running, but just as agile!

Unless it needs to climb over something like a pile of rocks, or stairs.

Re:This is Awesome

[toonces33]

If you read the article and look at the video clips, you see the robot get a running start, get down into a crouch and then jump in the air just in time to clear a barrier.

In a real warehouse that would be a pretty useless capability, but it still seemed kind of cool.

Re:This is Awesome

[JaredOfEuropa]

Screw warehouse work, just turn that sucker into a Segway-like robot that can carry me. Now jump!

Re:This is Awesome

[Anonymous Coward]

This looks a bit closer to the motorcycle mechs in Rideback. Once they learn ballet, the robots will be unstoppable...

Daleks

[Stonent1]

Daleks run on wheels, but they have a weakness, stairs. (Well except until they learned to levitate) Wheels need a flat surface whereas walking legs do not.

Re:Daleks

[Anonymous Coward]

Daleks run on wheels, but they have a weakness, stairs. (Well except until they learned to levitate)
Wheels need a flat surface whereas walking legs do not.

There is no reason robot can't "walk" on virtually any surface by locking wheels. It does have legs after all. Robot could be fitted with or carry interchangeable extra wheels suited for surfaces other than flat asphalt. Pressure inside wheels could be adjusted on the fly to better control traction and stability on rough terrain when needed.

Re:Daleks

[140Mandak262Jamuna]

It can plant its two for arms a few steps up and roll the wheel up, move one arm up a step, then the other arm, haul the wheels up a step ... I see this thing climbing stars with ease.

Practical use:

[Tablizer]

Me: "Boss, I'd like raise."

Boss: "Sorry, no budget this year."

Me: "My robotic friend back here wants a word with you..."

[*Lunge!*]

Boss: "Aaahhh! OK, OK! you gottit! Now get that thing outta here!"

Re:Practical use:

[Anonymous Coward]

Me: "Boss, I'd like a raise."

Boss: "Why are you still here, we replaced all of you with robots. Get out of her before I call the policebot."

Re:Practical use:

[Tablizer]

...

Me: "Yes, but those are Microsoft robots. You'll need me again."

Re:Practical use:

[Falos]

Once again I submit my petition for +1 Depressing mod.

Make it lethal

[Anonymous Coward]

How long will it take until they will put a gun on it?
(And use it to control the population?)

Okaaaaay

[JustAnotherOldGuy]

Yeah, that has the potential to peg my Creep-O-Meter.

If I met that thing in a darkened warehouse and it started coming for me I'd be shittin' me pants.

Re:Handle what?

[magarity]

Handle what? Knives? Swords? Throwing stars? Guns?

A phased plasma rifle with a 40 watt range.

Re:"Leaked"

[khallow]

It would be one thing, if we were digging up ancient general purpose robots and having gone nowhere with them over thousands of years, decided that they weren't that exciting. That would be rational. But to declare that they can't be done merely because they haven't been done before is colossal ignorance. Virtually everything we do today, beyond the rudimentary level of basic life processes, is something that at one point hadn't been done before.

Wheel Chair

[Travco]

This thing will result in a mobility revolution for the disabled. Once it's in production and cost comes down. And.. Stairs will be no problem. it balances well enough that half a dozen different solutions should be available (a deploy-able post would be easy)

OK. Yes, I'm impressed.

[blind biker]

On condition that that's not fake, that machine is positively badass. I have the most profound admiration for the technology that went into it, and the engineers that did this job.

Re:Nope

[Anonymous Coward]

It's a fucking Tachikoma

And yes, they are cute and very, very helpful

Definition of Nightmare?

[b783719]

Looking at the headless shoulder, the empty arms and wheeled legs, it definitely has some creepy factors.

But DAMN, this thing does better than most robotic designs at moving around at high speed. Heck, it can even spins and jump!

All I'll need is a car shell and BAM! I'll have my own transformer! Nightmare => Best Dream Ever!

+1 to the Engineers.