Boston Dynamics Dynamically Balancing Biped Walker

http://spectrum.ieee.org/blog/robotics/robotics-software/automaton/first-video-of-boston-dynamics-petman-biped

by mhb • 17 years ago

20 7 17 years ago

spectrum.ieee.org

bh23ha• 17 years ago

This is great stuff. With batteries and capacitors constantly improving we should soon have quiet humanoid robots walking around. I find it fascinating to think where they will be first used as more then a proof of concept curiosity.

I would guess in nursing homes. It seems Japan is concentrating their humanoid robotic efforts on that. And with an ageing population but without much (or any) immigrants, I would think the economics are most likely to work in favour of humanoid care taker robots there first.

Perhaps soon after we'll have them here, I can just imagine the advertising being very similar to the "I've fallen and can't get up ads." Except now I have a robot helper to help me and call my family and even call the hospital.

futuremint• 17 years ago

Then everyone would need Old Glory Robot Insurance. Because robots eat your medications!

http://www.robotmarketplace.com/video_oldglory_hi.html

tocomment• 17 years ago

Does anyone know how the software behind this works? Is it some kind of advanced AI? Does it "learn" how to walk?

beaker• 17 years ago

This demo reminds me of the Dexter robot from Anybots. Here is a video from about a year ago: http://fwd.five.tv/gadget-show/videos/feature/meet-the-human...

nova• 17 years ago

Very cool, but I think that the heel-toe landing move is a bit exaggerated.

dtf• 17 years ago

Perhaps they could swap those climbing shoes for a pair of Vibram Fivefingers and teach it to walk toe-heel.

chrismear• 17 years ago

The more they produce, the more I can't help but feel that Boston Dynamics must be stopped at all costs.

Boston Dynamics Dynamically Balancing Biped Walker

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