Boston Dynamics' Atlas robot shows upgraded agility in 'Parkour' video (Engadget)

[Norton]

Boston Dynamics continues to generate some impressive, yet somewhat scary, tech advances in robotics

Just two years ago Boston Dynamics proudly showed off a new generation of its Atlas robot that could take an untethered stroll through the woods, before advancing to balancing on one leg and even landing a backflip.

Its latest highlight reel, however, is one that should make this guy very, very afraid. Dubbed "Parkour," it features a bipedal battery-powered robot that not only jogs, but hops over obstacles and up an uneven obstacle course with nary a bobble. The 'bot now has enough processing power to use its legs, arms and torso to balance through the movements and power up each 40cm-high step, while using computer vision to locate the next one.

Check it out below:

https://www.engadget.com/2018/10/11/atlas-robot-parkour-boston-dynamics/

Is Skynet getting closer?

 

[FordGT90Concept]

Boston Dynamics is years ahead of everyone else in terms of bipedal and quadrupedal robots. As always though, they have very limited battery life.

 

[StrayKAT]

Am I weird when my first thoughts are... "What are the best ways to stop this thing?"

Every invention needs a counter, y'know. Not good to just let them get all the fun (like with nukes).

 

[Fourstaff]

Waiting for the day when we start using these robots for disaster rescue operations. Ability to navigate uneven ground is a big advantage over its wheeled brethren.

 

[droopyRO]

Disaster rescue ? hahaha nobody would spend tha amount of money to save lives If there will be an application for this technology it will be to make money and/or kill stuff.

 

[FordGT90Concept]

Actually yeah, because of their limited battery range, civilian applications is the goal. For example, these robots could be used by bomb squads to disarm bombs where they sit instead of using an air gun to shoot the charge and detonate it. Yeah, those little robots are cheaper but outcomes may be better with human-like robots that behave as an extension of the individual disarming it.

There's also a lot of interest in these humanoid robots to help in nursing homes.

 

[OutThereSomewhere]

As always though, they have very limited battery life.

You don't like batteries, do you?

 

[StrayKAT]

There's also a lot of interest in these humanoid robots to help in nursing homes.

Creepy.

Lets stick with people and golden retrievers.

 

[dorsetknob]

Would not be Surprised if NASA is not Keeping an eye on its Development
This Robot if Developed further would be an ideal candidate for Moon base/Mars base construction
Prior to manned missions.
Manned Missions to Mars would need some sort of pre built Habitable Base of Operations to ensure survival untill the Return window is available.

 

[FordGT90Concept]

Creepy.

Lets stick with people and golden retrievers.

Think in the context of a obese elderly person that's stuck in a wheel chair. A robot like this can replace the wheel chair, taking as much weight off their body as their legs can handle. That way they can build up some strength and get some exercise over time that they really wouldn't with a wheel chair. Long term physical therapy and practical too.

Would not be Surprised if NASA is not Keeping an eye on its Development
This Robot if Developed further would be an ideal candidate for Moon base/Mars base construction
Prior to manned missions.
Manned Missions to Mars would need some sort of pre built Habitable Base of Operations to ensure survival untill the Return window is available.

Even space walks.


Point is, military only has casual interest in these kinds of programs.

 

[droopyRO]

I agree that is what the tehnology should be used for, to save and protect lives. But think of the costs, only high end nursing homes or hospitals would afford it. The big money is in the defense business.

 

[FordGT90Concept]

This is USA, insurance pays for it like they pay for motorized scooters and wheel chairs.


I think the military would only be interested in regards to mine and bomb defusal which overlaps with units that are developed for bomb squads. Wheeled vehicles are much better (effective and cheaper) as weapons of war. Until the battery problem is solved, these won't be used to clear hostile buildings. They'd need to recharge between each building at this point and while they are charging, they're sitting targets. They also have to have very, very potent AI that recognizes friend from foe, threat from benign, capable of understanding unknown floor plans, and all of the tactics that go into clearing a building. They're nowhere close to that.

 

[blobster21]

This is USA, insurance pays for it like they pay for motorized scooters and wheel chairs.


I think the military would only be interested in regards to mine and bomb defusal which overlaps with units that are developed for bomb squads. Wheeled vehicles are much better (effective and cheaper) as weapons of war. Until the battery problem is solved, these won't be used to clear hostile buildings. They'd need to recharge between each building at this point and while they are charging, they're sitting targets. They also have to have very, very potent AI that recognizes friend from foe, threat from benign, capable of understanding unknown floor plans, and all of the tactics that go into clearing a building. They're nowhere close to that.

Send them to Mars then : no hostiles, no bombs, mostly flat grounds, solar powered batteries either embedded or available as a wheeled side companion.

 

[FordGT90Concept]

It makes more sense to build everything there so it can be fully autonomous. That means the bulk of the construction and maintenance robots would be wheeled. There would only have to be a few bipedal robots to do maintenance tasks the wheeled robots can't reasonably do (e.g. roof repair). Bipedal is relatively efficient for organic muscle tissue; it is not efficient for mechanical.