I realized how much I was anthropomorphizing the thing when it reversed its knees and I winced.
"Roadrunner": a bipedal, wheeled robot for multi-modal locomotion [video]
21–30 of 41 posts
Re: "Roadrunner": a bipedal, wheeled robot for multi-modal locomotion [video]
#22In a word: wow. That demo just kept getting better and better.
Re: "Roadrunner": a bipedal, wheeled robot for multi-modal locomotion [video]
#23thought it was pretty cool. then it balanced on one leg. insane.
Re: "Roadrunner": a bipedal, wheeled robot for multi-modal locomotion [video]
#24I wonder whether the extra weight of a third, retractable/foldable leg would negate the power savings that could accrue from being able to switch to 3-wheeled mode when appropriate (thereby allowing the gyro to be spun down).
By gyro do you mean flywheel? Is there one in this robot?
There does not appear to be one in this robot, from what I am able to read about it. I think sometimes people assume there must be something like that to help balance.
This generalizes fixed 2-wheel dynamic balancers which mostly don’t have flywheels for stability either, the focus is on the dynamics of keeping the wheels under the center of gravity, or a bit offset when moving.
The novelty here is about switching between dynamic control policies while keeping them simple.
Re: "Roadrunner": a bipedal, wheeled robot for multi-modal locomotion [video]
#25So between AI and robots that can do this, humans are basically done right? I am going to bed.
Nah, it just means we get to enjoy a 19th century future because we keep destroying our electronics using EMP bombs to fight the robots.
Re: "Roadrunner": a bipedal, wheeled robot for multi-modal locomotion [video]
#26Really cool. But when will we actually start to see any robotics products out there in real life? Walking robots have been a thing for what 50 years now? And they are still nowhere to be seen beside techdemos. Boston Dynamics' Bigdog is 20 years ago, and beside those semi-useless dog drones from china, we are nowhere close to general service walking robots in our lives. I'm getting impatient.
Re: "Roadrunner": a bipedal, wheeled robot for multi-modal locomotion [video]
#27What are the advantages to this compared to something more stable like 3 or 4 wheels that can’t just fall over?
The single-track mode where the wheels are in line like a bike seems useful for navigating floors strewn with obstacles.
Re: "Roadrunner": a bipedal, wheeled robot for multi-modal locomotion [video]
#28What are the advantages to this compared to something more stable like 3 or 4 wheels that can’t just fall over?
I could ask you the same question.
Re: "Roadrunner": a bipedal, wheeled robot for multi-modal locomotion [video]
#29Earlier quoted context omitted.
IIUC dexterity is gonna be the bottleneck. There was actually a post on here a few months back where someone claiming robotics expertise posted exactly what you asked for: a list of things they didn't think robots were close to being able to do. IIRC the list included folding textiles, and soon after a video was released of a robot folding textiles, but it was very janky, it's not clear to me if it proved the origina…
Hate to say it, but I suspect people who can't afford their own laundry might be well down the list of potential customers in all this.
But people who own the shared spaces might be high on the list.
The poorer will get robotics as a condiment. Like WiFi.
Re: "Roadrunner": a bipedal, wheeled robot for multi-modal locomotion [video]
#30So between AI and robots that can do this, humans are basically done right? I am going to bed.
I believe so. A few billionaires will control giant robot armies and go up against nation states for a while, while poverty and famine rip through the rest of us who will be considered useless. But eventually the machines will get rid of everyone besides maybe a few of us in zoos or as pets.
I agree. I wish I could be more optimistic.