The Atlas robot created by Google-owned firm Boston Dynamics is a formidable figure at 6ft 2in tall and weighing in at 330lb. The robot boasts 28 hydraulically actuated joints and stereo vision, and is one of the most advanced robots ever created.
According to Boston Dynamics, Atlas is a 'high mobility, humanoid robot designed to navigate outdoor, rough terrain. "Atlas can walk bipedally leaving the upper limbs free to lift, carry,and manipulate the environment. In extremely challenging terrain, atlas is strong and coordinated enough to climb using hands and feet, to pick its way through congested spaces.
Inspired by the speed of cheetahs, the endurance of horses, the maneuverability of monkeys, and the versatility of humans, IHMC researchers are on a quest to develop legged robots that are fast, efficient and graceful.'
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Yessir. Speed, endurance, maneuverability, versatility. Who are they kidding? These things need an 1 1/2" thick power/control cable cable hanging from the ceiling to move an inch. Various news media like to refer to this "Robbie the Robot" as "terrifying", "scary", "dangerous".
Yessir. Speed, endurance, maneuverability, versatility. Who are they kidding? These things need an 1 1/2" thick power/control cable cable hanging from the ceiling to move an inch. Various news media like to refer to this "Robbie the Robot" as "terrifying", "scary", "dangerous".
What a laugh.
They might as well say they have developed and spent all that money on an FTL (Faster-Than-Light) spaceship that would take us to Alpha Centuri in a few days or less... just as soon as they developed the warpdrive to do it.
Until they develop a power source than can be installed in these lab toys that will allow them to run for a few days(at least) without dragging a huge power cable along behind them from an accompanying semi truck with a mounted generator and operating crew, Corporations like Google are just spending money for the fun of it.
Considering the universal aversion to things like nuclear power, the likelihood of such a power source now is zero and remote in the near future.
Asimov's positronic robots could run for centuries, but Asimov never discussed the power source needed for that, knowing that such a thing was impossible using today's technology. Asimov was far more interested in his robots brain power.
Even James Cameron. creator of the original Terminator in 1984, put development of his robot 50 years into the future.
So, these expensive and supposedly scary action dolls will not be seen on a street near you anytime soon.
Maybe in another century or so...
2 comments:
This reminds me of the Beverly Hillbillies, when investors heard about Jethro's "Electric Car" but when they went to check it out, it had one drawback, it needed a longer extension cord.
Oh, I may have found something that explains Obama's re-election and a whole lot of other things. It's in my latest post.
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