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BigDog: Robot Army Dog
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A nimble, four-legged, Cronenbergesque robot is so surefooted it can recover its balance even after being given a hefty kick.
The machine, which moves like a cross between a goat and a pantomime horse, is being developed as a robotic pack mule for the US military.
The machine, which moves like a cross between a goat and a pantomime horse, is being developed as a robotic pack mule for the US military.
Mar 3, 2006 11:16 PM
Re: BigDog - Robot Army Dog
I just got a chance to view the whole video, and to be honest, I'm kinda creeped out.
In a cool futuristic "oooh!" sort of way, but still creeped out.
In a cool futuristic "oooh!" sort of way, but still creeped out.
By: sasquatchbill
Re: BigDog - Robot Army Dog
yeah, especially when the give it a kick and it adjusts its stance to stay on its feet.
By: gypo
Re: BigDog - Robot Army Dog
I totally want to ride on one of these things. The buzzing sound comes from the collective screams of the dead civillians souls they use to power it.
By: thegentlesherpa
Re: BigDog - Robot Army Dog
I was ready to give up on this until watching the video. It left me with the impression that someday our grandchildren, who will have robotic pets and artificial beings to clean their homes, will find this as amusing as we do those clips of early attempts at flight.
By: spam_vigilante
Re: BigDog - Robot Army Dog
BAH!
I wsa just about to post this video!
found on New Scientist dot com
I wsa just about to post this video!
found on New Scientist dot com
By: gypo
Re: BigDog - Robot Army Dog
Also here:
http://www.bostondynamics.com/dist/BigDog_Feb-26-2006.wmv
http://www.bostondynamics.com/dist/BigDog_Feb-26-2006.wmv
By: gypo
Re: BigDog: Robot Army Dog
I think with some sort of animal skin-like covering you could really creep people out. It really reminded me of a wounded animal when it got kicked and recovered its balance.
By: shadowbot
Re: BigDog: Robot Army Dog
I agree, the thing is creepy. I think for a lot of people this device will fall in the uncanny valley, that is something that get so close to imitating humans that it's inhuman aspects are made more apprent. I kinda made a post about this if anyone was curious. http://strugglingwordguy.blogspot.com/2006/03/uncanny-valley-and-robotic-mule.html
By: mebelokon
Re: BigDog: Robot Army Dog
What are you guys all on about ?
Y'all pussying out because it looks a bit creepy ? Think of how absolutely brilliant it is from an engineering point of view !
Can you begin to conceive of the complexity of the algorithms, the extent of the AI, the feats of cybernetics and robotics that are involved ??
Y'all pussying out because it looks a bit creepy ? Think of how absolutely brilliant it is from an engineering point of view !
Can you begin to conceive of the complexity of the algorithms, the extent of the AI, the feats of cybernetics and robotics that are involved ??
By: Exaton
why is it "creepy"?
Certainly it is an amazing feat of engineering. A truly amazing glimpse of what technolog's future holds. However, I think the "creepy" aspect all are referring to is that you could just strap a remotely operated turret on that thing and we're about a few steps away from Terminator 2. I don't think you can ignore the implications especially considering its being developed by the military. Very neat stuff but unsettling for those of us who don't have a lot of faith in the morals and ethics of the military industrial complex.
By: spinier
Re: why is it
Ah, now that sounds a lot more convincing.
I suppose I should rejoice that I don't have to think about that sort of thing every day. But I don't trust the US military industrial complex (or any other, I guess) any further than I could throw Dubya, so I see your point.
Here's hoping it'll stay a pack mule, and/or a research project allowing for R&D leading to better things :(
I suppose I should rejoice that I don't have to think about that sort of thing every day. But I don't trust the US military industrial complex (or any other, I guess) any further than I could throw Dubya, so I see your point.
Here's hoping it'll stay a pack mule, and/or a research project allowing for R&D leading to better things :(
By: Exaton
Re: why is it
u know, alot of great things were developed by the military.
but yes, it's not so creepy after a while to me. the only engineering experience that i have (i'm like 15) is autocad, and this is amazing. i think that the key to making a terminator out of this is taking out the remotely operated out of the equation. the only time i would approve of it being by AI is when it is unarmed and doing stuff around a base or something. i am actually very surprised to see working model of a four legged robot. maybe i just haven't kept up on the robots for the past 3 years. i'm definately sending this to a few engineer friends of mine.
I can only pray(until i enlist) that when this is used, it's used in the right hands and only to protect and defend freedom.
but yes, it's not so creepy after a while to me. the only engineering experience that i have (i'm like 15) is autocad, and this is amazing. i think that the key to making a terminator out of this is taking out the remotely operated out of the equation. the only time i would approve of it being by AI is when it is unarmed and doing stuff around a base or something. i am actually very surprised to see working model of a four legged robot. maybe i just haven't kept up on the robots for the past 3 years. i'm definately sending this to a few engineer friends of mine.
I can only pray(until i enlist) that when this is used, it's used in the right hands and only to protect and defend freedom.
By: scabbard_needed
Re: why is it
i doubt this could be used for anything else but a non-agressive application. This robot, as amazing as it is, wouldn't be much use as a weapon unless they wanna strap a bomb to it and tell it to walk into a building. basically it's far too inaccurate for any gun to be mounted on it and it's not very fast either. If you wanted a robot with a gun you put wheels or treads on it.
By: Everfalling
Re: why is it
http://www.bdi.com/content/sec.php?section=robotics Some more creepy crawlies Boston Dynamics is unleashing on the world. They are aggressive and ugly. Is this the american answer to the suicide bomber? I know I am just perpetuating paranoia but it really does make you wonder what the hell the intended application for these is gonna be. Itd be nice to hear some candid remarks from the designers.
By: spinier
Re: BigDog: Robot Army Dog
The first thing I thought of when I saw jax's pic was "hey, a robotic medevac, as it looks just like two guys carrying a stretcher.. without their torsos. Perfect, right? save lives without putting more in jeaopardy..Then I heard the audio while watching the clip... and I quickly realized this HAD to be a weapon. The noise is FAR too irritating to serve any humanitarian purpose.
By: jawrsh
Re: BigDog: Robot Army Dog
much like a wookie singing opera...or trying to sing opera.
i can't imagine how insurmountably funny it would look if
two of these things mounted each other and bumped uglies.
i can't imagine how insurmountably funny it would look if
two of these things mounted each other and bumped uglies.
By: exit550
Re: BigDog: Robot Army Dog
sounds more like a weeder to me.
'as it looks just like two guys carrying a stretcher.. without their torsos'
that's almost exactly what i was thinking. i looks like two guys carring a large couch across a mud puddle, esp when it rights itself after being kicked.
in all seriousness this is an awsome feat. it's one thing to make a machine walk, it's another thing altogether to get it to effectily balance itself after an unexpected disturbance. i can seriously see this being used as a way to carry heavy supplies or ingured people across rocky or uneven terrain. This is a milestone to be sure.
'as it looks just like two guys carrying a stretcher.. without their torsos'
that's almost exactly what i was thinking. i looks like two guys carring a large couch across a mud puddle, esp when it rights itself after being kicked.
in all seriousness this is an awsome feat. it's one thing to make a machine walk, it's another thing altogether to get it to effectily balance itself after an unexpected disturbance. i can seriously see this being used as a way to carry heavy supplies or ingured people across rocky or uneven terrain. This is a milestone to be sure.
By: Everfalling
Re: BigDog: Robot Army Dog
'Then I heard the audio while watching the clip... and I quickly realized this HAD to be a weapon. The noise is FAR too irritating to serve any humanitarian purpose'
this can be fixed. if you watch the end of the clip, the robot being kicked in the lab doesn't make any noise. why? cause it's externally powered. i'm guessing the noise is the main body of the video is actually the onboard power. I'm sure that a few high powered batteries or something could allow this thing to operate with very little noise.
this can be fixed. if you watch the end of the clip, the robot being kicked in the lab doesn't make any noise. why? cause it's externally powered. i'm guessing the noise is the main body of the video is actually the onboard power. I'm sure that a few high powered batteries or something could allow this thing to operate with very little noise.
By: Everfalling
Re: BigDog: Robot Army Dog
This thing creeps me out.
A lot.
It reminds me of the three-headed dog from Yellow Submarine.
Something about the legs... just makes me uncomfortable.
A lot.
It reminds me of the three-headed dog from Yellow Submarine.
Something about the legs... just makes me uncomfortable.
By: Miss_Kangaroo
Re: BigDog: Robot Army Dog
I'd be pretty stable too if I had that many incredibly loud gyroscopes screaming away in me.
By: presence
Re: BigDog: Robot Army Dog
Unless that's just a completely unmuffled engine. Regardless, very annoying noise.
By: presence
Re: BigDog: Robot Army Dog
I don't think I'd be stable if I was me filled with loud gyroscopes.
I'd be all, "AHH! I'M FILLED WITH LOUD GYROSCOPES!"
I'd be all, "AHH! I'M FILLED WITH LOUD GYROSCOPES!"
By: sasquatchbill
Re: BigDog: Robot Army Dog
Now that the hefty kick problem is solved. What about the, "getting hit by incoming traffic whilst chasing the red ball" problem?
By: Dr_Shattnin
Re: BigDog: Robot Army Dog
great feat of technology, however, this very loud machine would give away its location at any time. i could just imagine people seeing this thing in third world countries and the like, getting the shit scared out of them.
By: Khymera
9/07 update
did this video this get brought back because of the MOVEON.org video with the mechwarrior I wonder? This sheet is 4 real isn't it.
By: spinier
Re: BigDog: Robot Army Dog
I hate this creepy thing. I dont care if it is useful. spindley legs. no face. its from the future and it makes me unlike it.
By: meat
Re: BigDog: Robot Army Dog
I thought it was creepy at first, but after a while, I thought it might be kinda cute. I actually felt a twing of annoyance at the guy when he kicked it..."Hey! Jerk! Don't KICK him, what's wrong with you!" lol.
By: galliard
