BigDog Quadraped Robot

From Boston Dynamics (http://www.bdi.com/index.php) comes this odd-looking, gasoline-powered robot that looks like two guys carrying a couch, but acts almost alive.

"BigDog is powered by a gasoline engine that drives a hydraulic actuation system. BigDog's legs are articulated like an animal's, and have compliant elements that absorb shock and recycle energy from one step to the next. BigDog is the size of a large dog or small mule, measuring 1 meter long, 0.7 meters tall and 75 kg weight.

BigDog has an on-board computer that controls locomotion, servos the legs and handles a wide variety of sensors. BigDog's control system manages the dynamics of its behavior to keep it balanced, steer, navigate, and regulate energetics as conditions vary. Sensors for locomotion include joint position, joint force, ground contact, ground load, a laser gyroscope, and a stereo vision system. Other sensors focus on the internal state of BigDog, monitoring the hydraulic pressure, oil temperature, engine temperature, rpm, battery charge and others.

So far, BigDog has trotted at 3.3 mph, climbed a 35 degree slope and carried a 120 lb load."

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• quadraped
• robot
• BigDog

[zombat]

When robots gain sentience they'll watch this video.

They'll see humans kicking their retarded ancestors.

Then they'll go on a killing rampage

[dallasnick]

Now if only they could make it not sound like a giant bee from Hell...

[Tinto4]

Obscene.

[ShivuTheWolf]

What is the buzzing for anyway? Is it even essential?? I mean, is the engine or whatever???

[degude]

@zombat I think you watched to many movies^^

[degude]

@dallasnick It is because it needs a gas engine to produce electric power. The gas engine drives very high and that is why it is so loud

[NatashaLV]

0:29 THIS IS SPARTA!!! awesome robot!

[Hopejones01]

Watch out! Before long these things will be takin over the world lol! X nah igscreepy but kinda cool!

[bombersander]

when it walks trough the snow it sounds like the engine soun is actually the soun of him shiverring in the cold xD

[skeilak]

Amazing technology, but...

There is something decidedly creepy about this thing.

And to those asking about the noise; they are powering this prototype with a chain-saw motor. (Great power to weight ratio.) Obviously the finished military product will be powered by something far quieter.

[lore8953]

whats the noise? lol

[poltergiest11]

AAAAAAAAAAAAAH SO SSSSSSCAAAAAAAAAAAAARY AAAAAAAAAAAH!