For years, we have watched movies in which humanity depends on robotics to do everything from cleaning the pipe drains to fighting in wars.
Well, it seems what was once a vision is now becoming a reality. Boston Dynamics came out with their newest innovative idea called the BigDog. Sounds familiar? That’s because in October, Boston Dynamics came out with the AlphaDog, a robot that can not only walk, but also keep its balance. Why such a big deal? Ever since walking robots became a reality, the main difficulty to overcome has been keeping their balance. Funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Boston Dynamics hired MIT graduates that came up with using gyroscopes, range finders, and shock absorbers to help the robot to view its environment. They created the AlphaDog and the BigDog as a way to help military soldiers transport military supplies through difficult terrains.
BigDog, the early prototype, was able to travel miles carrying 340 pounds, powered with a two-stroke engine, similar to that built within a chainsaw. The team working on it has since updated it, giving the bot the ability to toss a cinder block weighing about 25 pounds over its shoulder with ease. It does this by using its legs and torso to power its arms into motion, similar to what humans do.
See for yourself in the video below:
Source: youtube.com
Advertisement
