Boston Dynamics' BigDog Robot Can Now Hurl Cinder Blocks
Andrew Sztein — March 5, 2013 — Tech
Thanks to Boston Dynamics, we can point back to this moment in time as the exact moment that the dawn of the robot uprising occurred.
Boston Dynamics has been working on their BigDog robot for a couple of years now, but just recently did it unveil its awesomely terrifying new feature: the ability to hurl cinder blocks across a room. In case you were thinking you can just outrun the BigDog, forget it; the thing can run faster than world-record track holder and Olympian Usain Bolt.
In all seriousness, this is actually a huge step forward for robotics in general. The major challenge in developing this robot is maintaining the balance of the robot with the extreme weight transfer when hurling something as heavy as a cinder block. It's pretty interesting to see the mech step back and forth as it gracefully tosses the cinder block like a baseball outfielder would.
Let's just hope SkyNet doesn't get its hands on this one.
Boston Dynamics has been working on their BigDog robot for a couple of years now, but just recently did it unveil its awesomely terrifying new feature: the ability to hurl cinder blocks across a room. In case you were thinking you can just outrun the BigDog, forget it; the thing can run faster than world-record track holder and Olympian Usain Bolt.
In all seriousness, this is actually a huge step forward for robotics in general. The major challenge in developing this robot is maintaining the balance of the robot with the extreme weight transfer when hurling something as heavy as a cinder block. It's pretty interesting to see the mech step back and forth as it gracefully tosses the cinder block like a baseball outfielder would.
Let's just hope SkyNet doesn't get its hands on this one.
Trend Themes
1. Aggressive Robotics - The rise of Boston Dynamics' evolved BigDog robot could disrupt the military and defense sectors by offering new robotic capabilities designed for aggressive actions.
2. Balance and Control - The development of robotics that can maintain balance and control during action could lead to disruptive innovations in the healthcare and construction industry by allowing robots to perform heavy lifting and other physical tasks with ease.
3. Speed and Agility - The advancement of robotics that can move at fast speeds and change directions quickly could revolutionize sports and entertainment industries by introducing new robotic athletes and experiences.
Industry Implications
1. Military and Defense - The development of aggressive and versatile robots could disrupt the military and defense industry by providing advanced weaponry and border security capabilities.
2. Healthcare - The ability for robots to maintain balance and control during physical tasks could lead to more efficient medical procedures and physical therapy sessions, ultimately disrupting the healthcare industry.
3. Construction - The use of robots in heavy lifting and construction tasks could disrupt the construction industry by providing safer and more efficient methods for building and maintaining structures.
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