Posted on 02/28/2017 7:23:43 AM PST by RoosterRedux
Google-owned robotics firm and “nightmare” factory Boston Dynamics has released video of its latest creation: a two-wheeled, four-legged hybrid robot named Handle.
The robot can stand on four legs, like Boston Dynamics’ previous creations such as BigDog and Spot. But at the end of its back two legs are two stabilised wheels, which let it stand up vertically and roll around at speeds of up to nine miles per hour. Think “Terminator riding on a hoverboard” and you’ll have a pretty good idea of the impression Handle gives off.
Boston Dynamics says the reason for the hybrid design is the simplicity it affords: rather than needing the complex joints of the fully-quadrupedal bots, Handle’s wheels can speed it around with little difficulty, while its front legs can be used for balance and for carrying loads of up to 50kg.
“Handle uses many of the same dynamics, balance and mobile manipulation principles found in the quadruped and biped robots we build,” Boston Dynamics said, “but with only about 10 actuated joints, it is significantly less complex. Wheels are efficient on flat surfaces while legs can go almost anywhere: by combining wheels and legs, Handle can have the best of both worlds.” The video does not, however, show Handle walking rather that scooting around on its wheels.
(Excerpt) Read more at theguardian.com ...
Thank you so much for your kindness, ArGee. And a Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms!
Happy Mother’s Day to you!
Off for my walk with James, and then I’ll try to find out when Sally’s hair color is going to be done. It always takes much longer than originally planned, *sigh*.
Happy Mother’s Day! What color will Sally’s hair become? You have the most fascinating family!
Purple is planned, but one never knows for sure.
There is a bread store here, but it’s actually not anywhere near where I normally shop, and since I don’t eat a lot of bread, anyway, I won’t be going there. Maybe St G will have one closer to where I live.
I’m thinking seriously of printing up my genealogy for my brother, just because. With luck, I can have it done for his birthday in August. That would be a lot of fun for me to do! And I’m sure his wife would like it, too!
Somehow, I didn’t get the email written to the new cousin. I’ll do that as soon as I eat my unsalad.
It's on my about page, just under the picture of Mars with oceans.
Howya, Bob.
As soon as I put a lasagna in the oven, I’m off to get Sally and her new hair from Jamie’s. Jamie was going to bring her home, but it took longer than expected, as always, and Jamie has to go to her pizza delivery job.
It’s a good thing I like driving!
Sally’s hair looks good. Send me an email, and I’ll send you a picture. I haven’t had good luck sending pictures by text recently.
Imagine that.
Advanced Grass Substitute Growth Enhancement Fluid is falling from the sky.
Or phrased another way, it is a gloomy drizmal day. Even the event of nightfall will not alleviate the drizmal for the weather foregnosticators indicate drizmal will continue drizmaling into the 0200 hour of the morrow..
I suppose I could change the leaky faucet in the downstairs bathroom. If I want to do something productive..
If everyone fixed their leqky faucets in a timely fashion, we’d all face fewer drizmal days.
Heavenly goodness! Purple sounds like a plan.
Awesome!
(For those of you who may not know, we are in the middle of a snap General Election.)
(It has become vicious, they are pointing fingers across the floor at each other!)
This came through the door printed on a correctly addressed voting card:
Register to Vote by 22nd May
The General Election will be taking place on 8th June. You must register by 22nd May to be able to vote.
Am I missing something or has the world taken leave of its senses?
In North Carolina, one can show up at the poll on election day and register to vote.
Rotherfield Greys Court. Henley. Late 1100s through to Late Tudor.
Good Morning TC.
The Tweed Army could’nt abide such a lack of organisation. :)
May we deduce that you’ve been doing some travel? What beautiful flowers - reminds me of my trip to Amsterdam with OldTax-lady, 15 years ago.
Just around the localish area.
A week or two of head reconstruction... :)
Some geese just passed loudly overhead.
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