jan 29, 2004 - “BigDog” Tramps Through the Mud

Description:

Boston Dynamics’ “BigDog” is a YouTube favorite thanks to its eerily lifelike performances. Over the course of several years the four-legged robot can be seen tramping through rough terrain — leafy forests, 60-degree hills, knee-deep snow and piles of bricks. It isn’t fully autonomous; a human controller pilots it, so it doesn’t need a sophisticated planning and vision system. But it has 50 sensors and an onboard computer that manages the gait and keeps it stable. Most notably, BigDog is able to bounce along with only two feet touching the ground at a time, making it far more nimble than rolling robots, which are generally limited to areas that have flat surfaces, like warehouses and pavement. BigDog’s mobility points to a time when everyday mass-produced robots could readily navigate front lawns, curbs or stairs, opening up new possibilities for everything from package delivery to in-home personal care.

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