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New Video of BigDog Quadruped Robot Is So Stunning It's Spooky

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Re: New Video of BigDog Quadruped Robot Is So Stunning It's Spooky

#21
post #15
post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think the ice part is better--I doubt any animal would have recovered from that without falling on its side. What I really want to see is a bloopers reel from early in the project.

It seems that it is much easier to stay up with three or four legs than two. Just lock them into a slightly outward direction and you cannot fall. If you're on one or two though, you've really got to balance the rest of the system much more carefully.

Your comment got me thinking. From a technical point of view of traversing over unknown and uneven terrain, there really is no reason to go with bipedal, especially if it's easier to do control systems for tri or quadraped robots. Of the handful that can be bipedal (primates, bears, birds), it's not their preferred mode of movement. However, it's probably a psychological disadvantage for the robots to be 3 or 4 legged and work along side humans in a job that requires it to be treated as a human, like a waiter, house companion, etc. That alone is reason enough to continue bipedal robotic research.

Re: New Video of BigDog Quadruped Robot Is So Stunning It's Spooky

#22

i think we are in deep shit. there is no way that such robots paired with artificial intelligence do not take over the world. we are a few years away from it. humans will self destruct not by killing each other, but by creating robots that will be out of control.

My impression has always being that if we create AI that can tweak itself to become even more intelligent, they will simply look a us with pity, smile, pat us on the head and fly away to explore the galaxies in their brand new interstellar ship.

Re: New Video of BigDog Quadruped Robot Is So Stunning It's Spooky

#23
post #4

You know, I knew there was something weirdly familiar about watching that video. Then someone remarked that it reminded them of a Hunter from Half-Life 2. Now I'm scared.

Here's the headcrab:

http://www.bostondynamics.com/content/sec.php?section=Little...

Re: New Video of BigDog Quadruped Robot Is So Stunning It's Spooky

#24
This excites me. If they become common, people are going to spend a lot of time exploring the world -- an antidote to sitting behind your laptop all day.

These things would make great pack animals. When you go hiking, you'll be able to toss your gear into one of these things and have it trot along behind you. You'll be able to take more risks because robots will be able to rescue you from tight places. If you get tired or sick, you'll be able to ride them.

It's funny to think that the streets of San Francisco in 2100 might superficially look like a town in a developing country. ("Oh, those aren't mules in the street, they're robots.")

Re: New Video of BigDog Quadruped Robot Is So Stunning It's Spooky

#25

It's getting scary. It's not that we're going to have robots going haywire and killing people on its own. It's that the elite crust of humanity is going to use it againstt us. Think blackwater is bad now? How about when they're not even human beings? The thing keeping the elites in check for all of human history has been that they can't get too crazy or their own soldiers will mutiny. Hitler was a study in charismati…

That's when the hackers here step in, right?

Re: New Video of BigDog Quadruped Robot Is So Stunning It's Spooky

#27
post #25

It's getting scary. It's not that we're going to have robots going haywire and killing people on its own. It's that the elite crust of humanity is going to use it againstt us. Think blackwater is bad now? How about when they're not even human beings? The thing keeping the elites in check for all of human history has been that they can't get too crazy or their own soldiers will mutiny. Hitler was a study in charismati…

That's when the hackers here step in, right?

As long as hacking without a license remains legal.

Re: New Video of BigDog Quadruped Robot Is So Stunning It's Spooky

#28
post #21
post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It seems that it is much easier to stay up with three or four legs than two. Just lock them into a slightly outward direction and you cannot fall. If you're on one or two though, you've really got to balance the rest of the system much more carefully.

Your comment got me thinking. From a technical point of view of traversing over unknown and uneven terrain, there really is no reason to go with bipedal, especially if it's easier to do control systems for tri or quadraped robots. Of the handful that can be bipedal (primates, bears, birds), it's not their preferred mode of movement. However, it's probably a psychological disadvantage for the robots to be 3 or 4 legge…

For comparison, hikers on rough terrain usually bring a hiking staff and aim to keep at least two points of contact at all times.

I can see two legs being more efficient than four, but wheels are usually vastly more efficient than either..

Re: New Video of BigDog Quadruped Robot Is So Stunning It's Spooky

#29
One thing that struck me was when it was kicked or almost fell, I felt a little bad for it. I can see where the general public might someday award robots rights because we instinctually anthropomorphize them. I felt silly--I "know" it's just software, but what about the rest of the world with the same instincts and no understanding that's it's mindless code?

Re: New Video of BigDog Quadruped Robot Is So Stunning It's Spooky

#30

It's getting scary. It's not that we're going to have robots going haywire and killing people on its own. It's that the elite crust of humanity is going to use it againstt us. Think blackwater is bad now? How about when they're not even human beings? The thing keeping the elites in check for all of human history has been that they can't get too crazy or their own soldiers will mutiny. Hitler was a study in charismati…

What's scary is how much this comment reminds me of Reddit...
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