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Robo-Doggie’s New Pal

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.
bigdogs2.jpgSo 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)

{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }

Moose June 28, 2006 at 3:33 pm

How about some images of the Exoskeleton?

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Tod Glenn June 28, 2006 at 7:05 pm

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.

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JS June 29, 2006 at 11:16 am

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. ;)

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JS June 29, 2006 at 11:18 am

doh, posted too soon, ignore that bit, didn’t realize they were talking about a different device entirely, sorry!

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Ellen Weber June 29, 2006 at 12:12 pm

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

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maxhead June 29, 2006 at 12:21 pm

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.

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GK1 June 30, 2006 at 4:05 am

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!

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Blackbird June 30, 2006 at 8:39 am

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.

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mythbuster June 30, 2006 at 12:15 pm

@GK1:
Stupid effin yanks? That’s clever. And about the space pen..http://www.snopes.com/business/genius/spacepen.asp says it all.
NEXT!

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Bakunin July 3, 2006 at 4:05 am

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.

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