Defense Tech loves robots, of course. But our favorite of ‘bot of all is the four-legged mechanical pack mules known as the BigDog. We’ve been barking about the robo-fido, ever since it was a sketch on a drawing pad.
So imagine the joy at Defense Tech HQ when we learned that there was a new puppy in the mechanical litter — a second BigDog. The two bots were running around Marine Corps Air Station New River recently — along with an exoskeleton-clad marine and a new trauma pod.
The roboteers at Boston Dynamics have been training the 165-pound, two-and-a-half foot-tall BigDogs to carry gear for soldiers and marines over uneven terrain. So far, they’ve gotten the pooches to “run at a rate of 3.3 mph, climb a 35 degree slope and carry a 120 pound load,” according to Marine Corps News. The bots have proved sturdy enough to take a big kick, and keep on walkin’.
Maybe it’s this sturdiness that’s inspiring some to think about the BigDogs are most than just mechanical beasts of burden. This article — and take this a can of salty Alpo — says Darpa “is considering plans such as weaponizing the BigDog robots.“
Down, boy. Down.
(Big ups: BB)
Robo-Doggie’s New Pal
Previous post: Hoax Watch, Day 10: No Nork Launch, After All
Next post: Rapid Fire 06/28/06 (Updated)
{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }
How about some images of the Exoskeleton?
What about the GunDog? Such a platform would be great for carrying heavier support weapons, giving even an infantry fire team self propelled weaponry like heavy machineguns, grenade and miissile launchers, etc.
There is no exoskeleton, that’s the author being sensationalist. The guy in the background has on what’s called a “wearable OCU”, OCU = Operator Control Unit. It’s just a fancy word for ‘remote control’ and they are usually quite heavy due to the processing components, machined metal features for ruggedness, and large (~4 lb) military lithium batteries. It’s no more of an exoskeleton than the metal harness a snare drum player wears in a marching band. Also I work on the Talon Robots deployed in Iraq so yeah, I do have an idea of what I’m talking about. ;)
doh, posted too soon, ignore that bit, didn’t realize they were talking about a different device entirely, sorry!
What an interesting look at the robots now available. I hope there is one coming out for peace missions with similar vigor! great post — thanks for the new look in what can be done in comouters with humnanity in mind
Mr Smarty-pants JS…from TFA:
The Exoskeletons for Human Performance Augmentation Program is a wearable robot that gives its wearer mechanical arms and legs, said Main.
It gives him the ability to carry up to 200 pounds without feeling the load. The exoskeleton gives the Marine the ability to carry a lot more supplies, body armor, ammunition or anything that he would need to take with him in a place a vehicle cannot go, he explained.
A real donkey can carry twice as much and doesnt need precious fuel either. It also does not fall over when it is kicked and might even bite back!
Stupid effin yanks, its the classic story of the space pen vs Russia’s pencil all over again!
Actually, the exoskeleton is not “senssationalist” it does exist, and has even been photographed, it’s just not in the picture above.
I too hope someone is considering th possibilities of using these ideas for paeace. Imagine a group of aid workers in the exoskeletons and leading a group of the bog dogs into a disaster area that is otherwise inaccessable… cool.
@GK1:
Stupid effin yanks? That’s clever. And about the space pen..http://www.snopes.com/business/genius/spacepen.asp says it all.
NEXT!
Donkeys have this problem. It’s called stubbornness.
These devices will be able to carry and fire heavy support weapons in situations that would be too dangerous for soldiers. They’ll be proof against small arms fire, so they’ll be able to charge into enemy areas and lay down death.
Stupid effin yanks? Look in the mirror. If it wasn’t for us, you’d be wearing lederhosen right now, so shut your bad teeth.
Because there were many people asked me that borrow some cronous gold to buy medicine.
Because there were many people asked me that borrow some cronous gold to buy medicine.
However, Easy mode is capped at level 30, you can’t join nor create a guild in Easy mode, and the Special Skills in classes are not available. You are also unable to use items labeled Dread cheap Shaiya gold, Legend, or Goddess.
I recognized her is an occasional, When I was just upgrade and earn rappelz gold. She also just through, and she is a new player, she saw me my number is high. So she asked me how to play. And I said I was a bad people, I asked if did you not heard in this game. She said she heard, but she did not believe. I smiled. So I took her to play, I told her how to play, how to upgrade.
So I decided to closed my own heart, I played lonely, I gave up to find, put aside feeling. I upgrade, take account and earn goonzu money a person. I live a little good; I think I have been really put aside.
Initial contact this game, I did not very like. Since find good reason to release point, I also began to like it. Every day after work, I always go to play this game. Perhaps little girls will like me, in order to give went to all I like it. I dull playing a few weeks, very few speak to people and I have 26 levels and also I earn a little GuildWars Gold.
Speak our story now, perhaps our story was very common, I met her in the last year, at that time we only said a few words, at that time she was buy the kamas now, we changed our telephone each other, from then on
I thought that if I love her I could like her all things, so in order let her in the game felt happy, I spend many money to buy dofus kamas for her.
To buy NosTale Gold win you must not only use your strength as a team, with the new features they plan to add cheap NosTale gold late. So no player will have to worry about ever losing their NosTale money account.