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from the fortunately-skynet-isn't-self-aware-yet dept.
Atlas, the hulking humanoid robot from Boston Dynamics, now does backflips.
To be clear: Humanoids aren't supposed to be able to do this. It's extremely difficult to make a bipedal robot that can move effectively, much less kick off a tumbling routine. The beauty of four-legged robots is that they balance easily, both at rest and as they're moving, but bipeds like Atlas have to balance a bulky upper body on just two legs. Accordingly, you could argue that roboticists can better spend their time on non-human forms that are easier to master.
But there's a case to be made for Atlas and the other bipeds like Cassie (which walks more like a bird than a human). We live in a world built for humans, so there may be situations where you want to deploy a robot that works like a human. If you have to explore a contaminated nuclear facility, for instance, you'll want something that can climb stairs and ladders, and turn valves. So a humanoid may be the way to go.
Source: https://techxplore.com/news/2017-11-atlas-robot-backflip.html
Also: https://www.wired.com/story/atlas-robot-does-backflips-now/
takyon: Don't forget the new SpotMini as seen at The Verge, Quartz, and Popular Mechanics. Even Ethanol-fueled couldn't stop it.
(Score: 1) by Ethanol-fueled on Sunday November 19 2017, @12:47AM (11 children)
I have already revealed much detailed information in several discussions. To be more specific would go into trade-secrets territory, and the company is still alive, though not for long. Google bought us, poached all of the patents and top engineers (who were all White), and only the dregs remain. But we made Atlas backflip, and nobody will ever take that away from us.
(Score: 2, Touché) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday November 19 2017, @01:01AM (10 children)
So you admit to being a dreg.
(Score: 3, Interesting) by Ethanol-fueled on Sunday November 19 2017, @01:12AM (7 children)
Okay fine, you want proof, here's your proof. [ibb.co]
(Score: 5, Funny) by LoRdTAW on Sunday November 19 2017, @01:57AM
I was expecting to see a man with his pants around his ankles sticking his dick in atlas with a sign reading "ethanol-fueled; fuck you"
(Score: 5, Insightful) by coolgopher on Sunday November 19 2017, @02:29AM (4 children)
Proof that you can write using a real pen, proof that you have a pile of computer/rc stuff and servo gear, or proof that you did it today?
Am I missing something that obviously places this photo at Boston Dynamics?
(Score: 1, Troll) by Ethanol-fueled on Sunday November 19 2017, @06:27AM (2 children)
Yeah, I wrote the timestamp on an authentic Boston Dynamics napkin I stole from the Boston Dynamics Lunchroom.
(Score: -1, Flamebait) by Whoever on Sunday November 19 2017, @07:13AM (1 child)
BULLSHIT. There is no indication that it is a napkin for the Boston Dynamics lunchroom.
You are just a fucking liar. Just a piece of shit who has failed at life and would like to pull other people down to your level of failure.
(Score: 1, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday November 19 2017, @05:01PM
Stop humanizing Ethanol-fueled. You're making it difficult to troll him.
(Score: 2) by LoRdTAW on Monday November 20 2017, @12:45AM
At this point he's been doing a pretty good job of fucking with us. I honestly don't believe he works there because A) he has claimed he lives in California and B) Boston dynamics is in Massachusetts.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday November 19 2017, @08:08AM
So you supposedly qualify to work there yet you need to shitpost racist crap on the internet? I feel bad for you.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday November 19 2017, @06:18AM (1 child)
Dreg or D'reg? [lspace.org]
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday November 19 2017, @05:05PM
Dreck