Latest BigDog video makes us all sad for slipping robots

Neat technology, but why go back to legs rather than flying or wheels? Making robots mimic living things is pretty darn weird. Brings to mind the whole "God created us in His image" thing. I guess the reason for doing this is so we don't feel so bad about sending live animals in to do the same thing as this, then watching Spot, Fido or Snoopy get blown to bits. YIPE!

Oh, and the reason it's so much louder outside is because they've got one of those swarm of wasps-type 2-stroke motors (like that annoying leaf blower) as a generator, whereas inside they're using a tether to power it.

I'm sorry but this really scares me. Stick a machine gun on top and it's a killing machine with no conscious or perception of humanity.

We're doomed.

That is awesome, it is an inspiration to get more into advanced electronics and robotics.

when that guy kicked it, i was half expecting it to tackle him back.

pointless the make this into a bomb, we already have much more efficient missiles for that. pointless to use it as a pack animal because how is it guided? gps? if thats the case would it be quick to re-route it if is ambushed (not that it can move fast enough to get away from anything)? Its meant to go where vehicles cant but wouldnt an air drop do just as well, its not exactly quiet enough to go along with special forces. and if it breaks down it doesnt exactly look easy to repair, how do you get someone to it to fix it. I mean as cool as the technology is, for military purposes its useless. why does it take me five minutes to think of these problems but the millitary is fine with throwing away billions of dollars to have it researched. fucking corruption.

DARPA is scary

So, what is it good for? Rescuing refugees from war zones? Helping to get equipment up to Mount Everest base camps? Provide, equipped with next generation solar cells, clean transport in rural areas?

Erm.. no.

http://www.supaswag.co.uk/2008/03/rise-of-machines.html

woah this thing looks hilarious, wow, I couldn't stop laughing. so how soon till robots go on a rampage and destroy the world?

dani77, thank you for that wonderful youtube comment. What a brilliant observation that was, really.

Interesting for sure, but what a waste of money and time. Could we FEED starving ppl or something instead? I mean the thing is just so weird anyways.

not to be on the negative side of things but if opposing forces saw that, I would be hard pressed to believe they would kick it to stop it. Im sure they'd rather shoot the life (which im not sure it has) out of it. Possibly set it on fire, but a kick? come on. None the less this is quite impressive, only begging the question what other type of technology have they made.

this is about one of the most horrifying robots I've ever seen

were is the fly swatter, that thing preformed pretty good on that ice patch i was hoping it would fall over

This Youtube comment is perfect:

"I think the reason I find it disturbing is that it looks like two skinny men in tights dancing around in a box. If I saw that thing at night, chasing me, I'd run like hell."

batteries make that much noise?...i was thinking it was compressor noise and the cables were hoses maybe?

and yea...it would be hard to craft or train a suicide bombing lama...

noiser outside because it was battery powered, quieter inside because it was using wall power (note cables).

I dont think they'd send this thing along with soldiers. They'd probably just deploy it alone, like a bomb with legs.

Little creepy how lifelike it is. But honestly, this thing would cost hundred of thousands of dollars to deploy - why wouldn't you just use a real dog. Plus, is it just be or did it seem really slow? Seems like it would just slow troops down where a real dog could be smart enough to speed up.

Okay, I'm a little wierded out by this. The movement is so lifelike but...it has no head. Creepy.

Why not use an animal?..because real animals wouldn't cost as much money?
It was very impressive..balance and recovery and all that but i have a cpl questions also...
why was it so much noisier outside than inside?
How would it recover from a few snowballs to exposed electronics?
Also...why wouldn't they just use embedded reporters for that...since then they may actually be worth something?

That is SOOO cool!!! Man, I especially love the part st the end of the video where jumps in the air like a mountain goat. Simply incredible.

That thing is good... I wanna be friends with it...