Boston Dynamics Big Dog (new video March 2008)

reminds me of a small puppy: real slow and careful at where to step, yet quick to recover when about to fall.
However, i believe that it's front legs should have been backwards from what they are now (think horse's legs). Like that the bot would be able to climb easier and the legs will slide around less (like when going over the pice of blocks in the video).
wouldn't be surprized if some redneck will rig BigDog with a gun rack to go hunting :)

This is an engine with a hydraulic pump and 16 pistons and a cheap but efficient computer. All together, this is much cheaper than the design/research/manufactreing costs of... say... Honda and their 2010 model sedans.

Boston Dynamics has disclaimers and have praised its innovation on the AI that runs on the hardware.

It not only dynamicly controls it's own limbs (Unlike simple preprogrammed and pre-animated movements like with ASIMO) but has several cameras and other hardware to truly view a 3D environment the same way we do, and has the software to recognize points of interest and elevation and what not to walk over.

ATVs fall over, they can't climb over a log or a foot high step. A waling creatuer can

i love this video

really creepy

oh yeah also forgot to mention at least someones applying walking robots to some practical use unlike hte japanese who spend millions on walking robots that have no real use at all except to show off to tourists n shit lik that

WHAT...THE...FUCK!! thats crazy, although if its meant to carry heavy loads lek bergens etc for troops (dont know if that is its intended use its a bit noisy for the job dont you think?

Yeah, but can it hunt???

This is a department of defense oriented effort.

Now tell me, what do you really beleive in?
A Magical invisible entity who never comes to your rescue?
Or do you beleive in the creations of the minds of free spirits and what they can come up with when they are not encumbered by the obtuse arcane rules handed down by quasi literates?
Want proof of Allah? look at what the human mind can produce when it is given its unalienable right of freedom of thought.
results count. this is real.

This is creepy as hell, but I do take solace in the fact that when this robot does become self aware it will hopefully attack Ice before mankind.