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March 3, 2006
BigDog is Kinda Disgusting
According to plankton it is. As I showed him this video, he sorta cringed in disgust.
"It's disgusting how organically it moves."
Oh plankton, out of your disgust I can see some fear. Perhaps the video triggered some autonomic Scandinavian response to inorganic objects simulating "life" or perhaps it was a glimpse into a future where robots are our overlords.
Fear not (yet); BigDog is just a prototype robot for the U.S. military. Looking like something out of the universe of Aeon Flux, BigDog is a robotic mule designed to carry massive loads and assist soldiers in terrain too tough for even the biggest and baddest Hummers.
The four legged bot is as surefooted as anything living and can recover its balance even after being given a swift kick. The whole system, controlled by its bank of processors, hydraulics and single stroke engine, allow the bot to navigate wet, rocky, potholed, inclined, declined, and slippery terrain. Only thing it has trouble with are curbs.
BigDog is very impressive. plankton made mention that its creepiness also has to do with the fact that it's wearing something pant like in the video. The pants didn't bother me. All I could think about was pitting this and Asimo in an obstacle course; which bot would prevail? My money is on Asimo, whom being bipedal can climb stairs, curbs, and even run with ease - not to mention it looks like a tiny Astronaut so no creepiness there to scare plankton.
via New Scientist
Posted by tranism at 3:03 PM | Permalink
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Comments
Plankton is correct, the organic movement is disgusting and extremely disturbing; I've watched the video about ten times today and there are definitely going to be nightmares.
Posted by: Chris at March 5, 2006 12:11 AM
I agree, the way it moves is disturbing. A big hunk of metal moving like an animal is far too unsettling.
Posted by: Mat at March 5, 2006 2:48 PM
I like those cuff links but I think they don't make them anymore.
Regards-Steve
Posted by: Steve at May 14, 2006 11:34 PM