Freakin' cool. Don't know why every blog I've seen it at calls it "spooky" though. Also, it sure ain't winnin' any awards for stealth...
Registered: Jul 2005
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posted
Wow... ok, that is pretty cool. It's ability to right itself instantly is amazing. However, one can't help but wonder how long it will take it to realize that it's creator is attempting to interfere with it's mission by intentionally throwing it off balance, and go mustang on him.
posted
Well I don't think stealth was a priority. You can make it quieter later. It's just amazing to me how well it's able to contend with terrain difficulties, obstacles and the occasional kick to the shoulder.
Registered: Sep 2000
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posted
That is impressive, all the previous robots I've seen have been very slow. Now if only they could start making bipeds that can move like that
Registered: Oct 2007
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Daniel Butler
I'm a Singapore where is my boat
Member # 1689
posted
I don't know why people are so keen to build bipedal robots. Quadrupeds are faster, more stable, they can jump higher and fall from a greater height onto their legs without injuring them. If the 'bot needs hands, make it a centaur. This is supposed to be like a pack mule, carrying equipment and so on...I'd rather trust my $3m sensor package to a quadruped than a biped (Plus, it means more room to put shit - a biped is pretty much limited to a backpack and belt.)
Registered: Jul 2005
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posted
Bipeds aren't the most balanced creatures, in so many ways....
-------------------- "You are a terrible human, Ritten." Magnus "Urgh, you are a sick sick person..." Austin Powers A leek too, pretty much a negi.....
Registered: Sep 2000
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posted
I've this robot before on G4. Yeah it's pretty cool, but noisy as hell.
Registered: Feb 2005
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Daniel Butler
I'm a Singapore where is my boat
Member # 1689
posted
For some reason the indoor shots have the thing much quieter. Without the whine you can hear hydraulics, and you see a lot of hoses hooked up from an overhead sling - I assume indoor they power him externally instead if internally so they don't have to listen to the noise, which I assume is a ... compressor?
Registered: Jul 2005
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posted
It sounds like a very high-revving two-stroke. Makes sense. The two-stroke would be powering a hydraulic pump of some kind to pressurize the system.
-------------------- I haul cardboard and cardboard accessories
Registered: Mar 1999
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posted
That and a two stroke will give you more power for less weight and maintainace, as well as quicker acceleration and better response time compared to a 4 stroke. Downside is it sounds like a hairdryer, has a shorter life, and emits more bad gasses than a fat guy eating mexican beans.
You could disconect the engine and run the hydraulics externaly, but I expect it would be a messy and lengthy job - you'd have to blead each line then re-pressurise it, ensuring no air got in. Plus it'd still need to lug a compresser around.
I expect production models might be powered by compressed air (like that French car), as well as diesel powered units. I can't think of a reliable substitute that would be useful in a combat area (as these will no doubt find their way into).
-------------------- I have plenty of experience in biology. I bought a Tamagotchi in 1998... And... it's still alive.
Registered: Apr 2005
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Daniel Butler
I'm a Singapore where is my boat
Member # 1689
posted
Well, I bet they have more than one prototype. I mean, looking at the video, you have to assign a purpose to all those hoses coming out of the ceiling and the utter lack of loud buzzing. So maybe they have one permanently hooked up to an external source, and then one or more with a 2-stroke that they use outside the lab.
Registered: Jul 2005
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![[Wink]](wink.gif)
(Plus, it means more room to put shit - a biped is pretty much limited to a backpack and belt.)
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