The robot "Atlas" by Boston Dynamics has moved beyond walking to jumping and doing backflips. Atlas is 5'9" and weighs about 330 lbs. (Link to video on YouTube)
The sequence of motion reminded me of when I was first learning to do a backflip in gymnastics: jump hard with-arms up-knees up-head back-look for your landing-done. Miss the timing in that sequence and things went bad. Can't imagine the engineering involved to get a 330lb machine to do that!
Amazing and creepy in equal parts...the robot has body and limbs in proportion for a stocky human but no recognisable head...presumably the 'brains' are buried deep inside the torso....this maybe an evolutionary improvement on the human design especially when attempting back-flips
It's incredible to see how these things have progressed! Just a few years ago they were all either gas-powered or tethered with a power cable. Seems like they've managed to get a battery supply on-board. Just wait till they improve battery efficiency or come up with a lighter format- these things will be even more amazing.
I find it interesting that out of the infinity of motions that might have been chosen to illustrate physical dexterity, ie. running through cones, licking your elbow, a fast draw with a Colt 45, a yoga class, et al, that jumping blocks and a back flip was chosen. I can only hope that I'm painting wings from a cloud before the first Ballet featuring 300 lb robotic ballerinas is offered.
The sequence of motion reminded me of when I was first learning to do a backflip in gymnastics: jump hard with-arms up-knees up-head back-look for your landing-done. Miss the timing in that sequence and things went bad. Can't imagine the engineering involved to get a 330lb machine to do that!
ReplyDeleteBill
Amazing and creepy in equal parts...the robot has body and limbs in proportion for a stocky human but no recognisable head...presumably the 'brains' are buried deep inside the torso....this maybe an evolutionary improvement on the human design especially when attempting back-flips
ReplyDeleteIt's incredible to see how these things have progressed! Just a few years ago they were all either gas-powered or tethered with a power cable. Seems like they've managed to get a battery supply on-board. Just wait till they improve battery efficiency or come up with a lighter format- these things will be even more amazing.
ReplyDeleteLock an AI unit in this robot and you've got Chappie.
ReplyDeleteI find it interesting that out of the infinity of motions that might have been chosen to illustrate physical dexterity, ie. running through cones, licking your elbow, a fast draw with a Colt 45, a yoga class, et al, that jumping blocks and a back flip was chosen. I can only hope that I'm painting wings from a cloud before the first Ballet featuring 300 lb robotic ballerinas is offered.
ReplyDelete