This is the first official look at Boston Dynamics’ new robot design, called Handle, and it’s a doozy. They are a trusted source of cutting-edge real-world robotics, which is good. If this came from an unknown source we’d be scrambling to debunk it as fake. This robot shows incredible utility, the likes of which has been relegated to the computer graphics of the movie and video game industries.
At the beginning of the month, we saw a demonstration of the robot but it was simply cellphone footage of a conference hall video. This is a crystal clear 60fps video from Boston Dynamics themselves with a few juicy details to go along with it. Chief among them (for us anyway) is that this prototype has a battery range of about 15 miles between charges. The efficiency is due in large part to the wheeled nature of the beast. It balances on two wheels, but the design attaches those wheels to two fully articulated legs rather than directly to the frame of the body.
The result is a quadruped that is distinctly not human in appearance but can perform well in similar environments and with similar tasks. Handle is capable of offsetting its body weight, allowing the front limbs to pick up heavy objects while maintaining balance. The combination of both electric and hydraulic actuators let it perform feats like jumping over four-foot high objects. The independence of each wheel is shown off with ramps to simulate uneven terrain.
Bravo BD. We can’t wait to see Handle wheeling down the street placing smile-adorned boxes on each stoop as it revolutionizes home delivery. Oh, and kudos on the 80’s-style freeze frame at the end of the video below.
> quadruped
Eh? It’s bipedal (or at least, biwheelal).
I suppose you’re right. The arms look more like legs of a horse when rearing up but it doesn’t work on them so technically not “peds”.
I’d say it has four legs, but doesn’t work “quadrupedically”. Is a Kangaroo a quadruped? Philosophical point I guess.
It would probably be classed as a bipedal tetrapod, since it has four limbs but uses only two for locomotion.
Very cool
Expected it to say ‘Weeeeeeeeeee!” several times, was disappointed.
I will be severely disappointed if someone, especially the auralnauts, does not come up with a video with such voiceovers. (See “Box” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAmyZP-qbTE )
Ahahahaa, I hope they do!
Let hope it doesn’t go on a killing spree.
I wonder if we will be looking back upon all this and say “I wish for the good old days”?
Most Boston Dynamics videos feel like the intro/flashback montage of a dystopian sci-fi movie, especially when the engineers starting kicking the robots and beating them with hockey sticks.
I think it’s pretty much guaranteed to go on killing sprees. If it wants to earn it’s metal polish, at least.
It really seems to mimic the motions of an ice skater or downhill skier. Where’s the 80’s music for the freeze frame at the end?
I’ve tried to fix it a little bit…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DOygVoR4nU
You should do work for bd pr.
Now that I think if it, I totally should have done an Autobots reference.
I’m much more curious about the flexibility of Boston Dynamics themselves, post Google sale and DARPA disentanglement. Is this intended for Toyota’s shop floor or Amazon’s warehouse?
This
This what?
Japanese (ergo Chinese?) (buzzword ahead) modular temple building techniques. So nice, also allows you to have a 1800 temple actually be a 2017 temple, having replaced all the individual components, or put it somewhere else, no problem :) This thechnique allows for a mentality that trancends the finite idea of history, ownership, expiry date
ok.. I commented on a post about screwless wood work, what is this wordpress?!
Screw me… So to say
why an edit button if you can report yourself!
Shop floors and Warehouses have in common that they can be designed for machine accessibility. This robot’s main advantage is that it can work in areas not designed for machines, especially outdoors.
I can see this as an autonomous/remote patrol vehicle or a “delivery guy”. But it would probably need serious supervision or remote control. It can master obstacles, but I guess planning and navigating with obstacles will be tougher.
To me it screams military combat robot.
I look forward to military combat robots.
Imagine a world where wars and battles are fought remotely by machines instead of by people. No death, no destruction of people’s homes, just robots destroying robots until one side relents and a settlement is reached.
The robots would be unleashed on civilian populations. In war you don’t just attack the opposing army.
I’m thinking a modern day police force.
Even if, perhaps due to unfathomable societal shifts, an entirely bloodless war came to pass, they’d just be producing robots until one country’s economy collapses, which isn’t exactly a “no death or destruction” outcome.
Of course it’s a kill-bot. You could put an endless stream of ordinary guys in vans for what it costs to build this and keep it running. Unless it’s delivering giant diamonds to kings, who live in the middle of assault courses. Have BD claimed it’s NOT for killing brown people?
Reminds me very much of a certain speed skater I knew who loved to show off going everywhere back skating.
Uhh… we’re going to need better batteries.
He really needs to bend with his knees.. gonna hurt his back otherwise.
They say its a “reverse knee” but the arms with the elbows going up instead of down make it look like its going backwards with its arms behind its back…
It’s a pushme-pullyou.
What?! no video of someone kicking it or knocking it over? Going soft Boston Dynamics is!
I’d also love to see it transition to walking and back to rolling.
It looks like something pulled straight out of half-life 2. That is awesome
Can’t wait to see in action,together with the fast dog style bot of same boston dynamics, once the finished product with guns will be disseminating “peace” to country of “insurgents” of third world, removing the risk of lose american lives more important than anyone of world.
Please please please take that to Tony hawks house and do a kickflip
Was just about to say, I want to see this thing in a halfpipe.
But can it ollie a skateboard?
This would be a cool frame for an exoskeleton to get a peson out of a wheelchair.
I am blown away by the capability of this device, I’ve watched BD progress the technology in this area for some time now but recently they seem to be really up and running. Well done to the entire team!
The first thing I thought of was Rosie the Robot from the Jetsons.
Boston Dynamics, my dream workplace.
Hey Boston Dynamics, when are we going to see a bipedal robot ride big dog?
what happens if we give it “natural oil”? :)
Can it go upstairs? I haven’t looked (for other clips), but the included clip only shows it going downstairs and down slopes.
Oh, a rideback. Finally.
http://i.imgur.com/WP2bhXe.jpg
https://youtu.be/hU1rTET0n5c
Looks like reality is close on the heels of sci-fi. Eerily similar.
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YVCc08MKCpc/UySiDq5zVoI/AAAAAAAAWns/29KDx_uVzOk/s1600/c20081201_rideback_s05_cs1w1_573x700.jpg
Where are the olympic gymnast clones? Or figure skaters?
Sure you need 2 machines to emulate Torville & Dean, but even a single robot doing a triple-axel would be impressive.