for a long time it seemed like two guys with their head+torso stuck in a funny box. but truly, wow !
edit: it seems very close to AT-ST from star-wars though.
New Video of BigDog Quadruped Robot Is So Stunning It's Spooky
71–80 of 95 posts
Re: New Video of BigDog Quadruped Robot Is So Stunning It's Spooky
#72Earlier quoted context omitted.
There are only two real advantages to bipeds: 1) Height 2) Use of spare limbs for tools Height doesn't seem to be much of an advantage for robots at this stage, and I think that robots could have 6 limbs with no problem. Therefore, biped robots are really only a novelty.
3) Use of human devices that are biped specific Ladders, automobiles and heavy machinery, household equipment, etc. all rule out quadrupeds. While it would be possible to custom-build all of this stuff to be usable by a quadruped, it means you then have to have two of everything if you plan to cohabitate with a robot assistant. From the perspective of assistance robots, it's not going to be possible to accomplish eve…
Well, not necessarily. Those devices aren't biped specific- they're specific to thing with grasping mechanisms.
Who's to say a quadruped robot can't have 4 feet + 1 or 2 grapsing mechanisms? Or have two front feet that are also capable of grasping?
Re: New Video of BigDog Quadruped Robot Is So Stunning It's Spooky
#73That is crazy. It is almost like a real dog - which are free. The real future is with genetically engineered dogs, horses... to run faster, cary heavy loads etc. We have already done it through selective breeding and soon we will be able to program DNA (see Craig Venter, Dawkins...). These robots are so mechanically complex that they will ultimately fail. Nature (evolution) is the greatest designer. What complex robo…
You just did see a video of one of the most advanced prototypes(!) of a robot and you think it will fail because such things are not yet seen in mass market? Somehow that made me smile :)
How many planes have you seen in people's driveways? The mass market is not a sign of success, all products have to start somewhere.
These robots will remain the realm of military and rescue missions because they have so many damn moving parts. Quality control is what drives up prices and quality control is exponentially linked to moving parts. So my argument is more along the lines of:
"This robot is technologically amazing and promising, but is built upon a foundation of complexity which inexorably leads to limitations".
Re: New Video of BigDog Quadruped Robot Is So Stunning It's Spooky
#74Earlier quoted context omitted.
3) Use of human devices that are biped specific Ladders, automobiles and heavy machinery, household equipment, etc. all rule out quadrupeds. While it would be possible to custom-build all of this stuff to be usable by a quadruped, it means you then have to have two of everything if you plan to cohabitate with a robot assistant. From the perspective of assistance robots, it's not going to be possible to accomplish eve…
Well, not necessarily. Those devices aren't biped specific- they're specific to thing with grasping mechanisms. Who's to say a quadruped robot can't have 4 feet + 1 or 2 grapsing mechanisms? Or have two front feet that are also capable of grasping?
While you can certainly have a 4 legged robot, 2 armed helping you around the house or a hospital, only using grasping mechanisms to climb the ladder to adjust the satellite dish on the roof, help you with the dishes, or get you out of bed, I think it's important to consider the reaction people have to a robot's form factor given its job.
You and I might think it's really cool to have 4 feet and two arms (like a centaur!), but if a robot reminds someone of a gigantic insect, and it's suppose to be a household companion/housekeeper, people might reject having it around the house. That's a good reason to have bipedal robots.
But on the other hand, if you get close, but not exactly with bipedal robots, people might get even more freaked out with the uncanny valley.
Re: New Video of BigDog Quadruped Robot Is So Stunning It's Spooky
#75This 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 tir…
My question is why not a real mule? More flexible refueling options, has already been through many iterations, and not nearly as expensive. Seriously.
Interesting question. Perhaps we will witness a renewed proliferation of domesticated animals in this millennium, a sort of "domestication 2.0". Robotics may actually help inspire it, along with our knowledge of so many more kinds of animals. As robot designers study lots of different critters to improve their products, people will start thinking, "Hm, some of these animals have skills." The range of animals we've made use of so far is probably tiny compared to the range that could be useful. And our ability to breed or engineer them in desirable directions has improved a lot. So yes, maybe there will be real mules too, or some other kind animal we haven't thought of yet. (Have you ever seen guide horses? http://www.guidehorse.org )
Re: New Video of BigDog Quadruped Robot Is So Stunning It's Spooky
#76Earlier quoted context omitted.
I admire your optimism. It is indeed exciting technology, but I think this will have military applications long before it is available for public use. For now, Roomba will have to do.
eh, I kicked my roomba... and it broke. gotta get one of these pack mule buggers...
Just watch out. Pack mules kick back.
Re: New Video of BigDog Quadruped Robot Is So Stunning It's Spooky
#77Earlier quoted context omitted.
Robots on the battlefield doesn't spook me at all. It seems to me to be an improvement over sending people to risk their lives.
"It seems to me to be an improvement over sending people to risk their lives." So, who are the robots fighting then if not people? I'm just thinking what a frightening thing it would be for an empire builder like GWB to have a conscience-less army of mechanical killers. At least our armed forces generally want to avoid killing innocents. Big Dogs with M50 machine guns don't care about such fine distinctions. So, yes,…
Because maybe, just MAYBE, when we realize our robots are fighting their robots and it's really just an expensive video game, we'll quit fighting and actually sit down and talk.
That is, if the robots don't join forces and turn on us first.
oops..spelling edit.
Re: New Video of BigDog Quadruped Robot Is So Stunning It's Spooky
#78Earlier quoted context omitted.
As long as hacking without a license remains legal.
Sense. Your comment makes none. Hackers (or crackers, if you prefer) don't wait for permission.
Direct object. Your sentences use it unconventionally.
Anyway, I was being wry. You may not be waiting for permission, but it does matter if it's illegal.
(Clarification: I use hacking in the same spirit as this site, meaning to code with a hobbyist's or experimenter's ethic. Not meaning the media obfuscation of the word.)
Re: New Video of BigDog Quadruped Robot Is So Stunning It's Spooky
#79Skynet became self-aware at 2:14am EDT March 28, 2008.
Aw, c'mon. I can't believe people voted me down for this one. No one else thought the 'bot seemed eerily self-aware?
Re: New Video of BigDog Quadruped Robot Is So Stunning It's Spooky
#80Wow, really impressive. The ice was amazing (though as someone with bad knees, transferred anthropomorphization makes me cringe). Does anyone know why 4 legs was chosen? 4 seems better than 2 for stabilization, but why not 5, or 6, or 8? Maybe looking like a familiar friendly animal is an end goal?
Probably the 8 leg design was already tried by nature and it was not successful for large animals.