Video: Freaky deaky quadruped robot
posted at 6:10 pm on March 17, 2008 by Allahpundit
Via Gizmodo. Fluid yet moronic three-foot-tall robot stutter-stepping while some hippie kicks it in the ass? Not that awesome. 200-foot-version featuring Marines rappelling down from an opening in its belly? Awesome. Dare to dream, my friends.
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Put A muffler on that sucker! >:D
Chakra Hammer on March 17, 2008 at 6:14 PM
Can it scrape windshields?
leftnomore on March 17, 2008 at 6:14 PM
Heh. That would be awesome.
Spirit of 1776 on March 17, 2008 at 6:15 PM
I hope it’s not powered by human flesh.
Exurban Jon on March 17, 2008 at 6:16 PM
Dr Frankenstein I presume. Amazing thought there were 2 guys in a costume.
StuLongIsland on March 17, 2008 at 6:17 PM
Wow!
It never went down once although it was confronted with that in every conceivable way. The most impressive I’ve seen any robot in navigation.
BL@KBIRD on March 17, 2008 at 6:20 PM
… Not if there would be some small two man aircraft flying circles around the legs with a grappling line attached to one leg first …
wise_man on March 17, 2008 at 6:21 PM
Excellent point. But we need the empire first in order to have the rebellion.
Spirit of 1776 on March 17, 2008 at 6:23 PM
why are they building something that moves like a horse? Dude, just use horses!
lorien1973 on March 17, 2008 at 6:23 PM
Not Half Life 2 “Dog”, but coming closer to it.
In any case i recommend using Llamas for moving supplies.
Aristotle on March 17, 2008 at 6:24 PM
Ah, but this one won’t leave a pile of manure in the street.
Pax americana on March 17, 2008 at 6:27 PM
The way it recovered from being kicked or slipping on the ice…
… Impressive…
gridlock2 on March 17, 2008 at 6:28 PM
Fine, but can it hump?
Kini on March 17, 2008 at 6:29 PM
That was pretty awesome. The kind of terrain it can handle, plus the ability to keep from falling over when struck or while on ice.
The 200′ version sounds awesomely awesome, but even a smaller version would be great for moving gear and ammo around a battlefield. As long as it didn’t sound like a moped.
BadgerHawk on March 17, 2008 at 6:32 PM
Did we not learn anything by watching the Terminator movies!? Skynet will control us all!
Wyznowski on March 17, 2008 at 6:34 PM
That looks like two guys in a suit. Alright, maybe they had 17 cups of coffee before gearing up, but still… that’s creepy.
NeoconNews.com on March 17, 2008 at 6:34 PM
Actually, I’m not sure that that thing couldn’t beat the tow cables.
HitNRun on March 17, 2008 at 6:36 PM
Heh, I was thinking the same thing!
4shoes on March 17, 2008 at 6:37 PM
I’d like to get one of those, glue some wings and an ugly face on it, and steer it through a sorority at 3:00 am!
stonemeister on March 17, 2008 at 6:44 PM
That armor is too tough for blasters. Use tow-cables and grapple hooks, go for the legs!
AbaddonsReign on March 17, 2008 at 6:48 PM
Horses get tired.
crosspatch on March 17, 2008 at 6:49 PM
Am I the only one who had a fleeting moment of pity when the guy kicks it?
Oh, and if I saw that thing coming toward me in the woods, I’d run like hell.
SouthernDem on March 17, 2008 at 6:51 PM
Dude. That robot is awesome. The part where the hippy kicks it (as well as the part on the ice) demonstrates an impressive solution to a wicked hard problem in dynamics, load balancing and motion planning.
But yeah, the edge trimmer sound coming from those motors is pretty much teh ghey.
spmat on March 17, 2008 at 6:54 PM
Omg. I’m laughing really hard. I can’t put my finger on why that thing and this video are hilarious. But they are. Of that I have no doubt.
Harmonic Mean on March 17, 2008 at 6:59 PM
how about a 3foot one with a bomb on it, crawling silently through enemy territory in the worst terrain until it reaches it goal and blows up: a robot-suicide-bomber!
reliapundit on March 17, 2008 at 7:02 PM
I’m not sure exactly why, but this thing reminds me of a flighless monsterous wingless fly, and it is coming to get me………. I’m a little freaked out.
Maybe because it’s St. Patrick’s Day, and I started drinking already, but this thing really freaks me out.
Seven Percent Solution on March 17, 2008 at 7:08 PM
Batteries run down.
Oldnuke on March 17, 2008 at 7:09 PM
I’ll second the “Terminator” reference…stick a machine gun with motion infra-red on top and auto sighting…..
gozips on March 17, 2008 at 7:11 PM
I’ve seen the future, and it walks like a rented mule.
Nessuno on March 17, 2008 at 7:12 PM
Open thread?
I haven’t seen anything on HA about D.C. v. Heller (07-290).
Oral arguments tomorrow.
If you want a bellylaugh, go to the amicus briefs and read Wisconsin’s.
jaime on March 17, 2008 at 7:13 PM
That was what I thought too. All that infernal buzzing had me looking for a big flyswatter!
Oldnuke on March 17, 2008 at 7:13 PM
Nice
- The Cat
MirCat on March 17, 2008 at 7:14 PM
Horses run from machine gun fire. Not to mention having to have a guy ride it through the city when it delivers supplies, ammo, and whatnot.
- The Cat
MirCat on March 17, 2008 at 7:18 PM
I think this thing definitely reached the uncanny valley of robot movement. It comes across as very alive and animalistic, but in a very unsettling way.
Nessuno on March 17, 2008 at 7:18 PM
P.S. Just think when they make a bipedal version.
MirCat on March 17, 2008 at 7:19 PM
Wyrd on March 17, 2008 at 7:26 PM
Horses don’t necessarily run from gunfire.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polish_cavalry
Oldnuke on March 17, 2008 at 7:29 PM
That was fascinating. Fascinating and creepy.
JS on March 17, 2008 at 7:34 PM
Anyone else see potential for an AT-AT project?
fanderbiles on March 17, 2008 at 7:37 PM
I hope it’s not powered by human flesh.
Well, on Soilent Green. I suppose that’s sorta like people. On the other hand maybe it could be powered by evacuated bowels. I think that would be the first thing to happen to the occupants of an enemy encampment if a three foot buzzing ‘fly creature’ was approaching.
Maybe they could attach a “plasma rifle, 40 watt range” to the top.
rihar on March 17, 2008 at 7:48 PM
It hasn’t passed the ultimate test: giant fly paper
Parley on March 17, 2008 at 7:52 PM
I’ve seen it before & it’s almost creepy the way it moves like a real animal.
Armor it & send it against entrenched jihadis,you can’t tell me they wouldn’t freak & run.
Frantic Freddie on March 17, 2008 at 7:53 PM
So the bots are back. AP finally got bored with the iPhone.
RedWinged Blackbird on March 17, 2008 at 8:00 PM
Too freaky…I didn’t like it!
ihasurnominashun on March 17, 2008 at 8:08 PM
That “ice recovery” was more than impressive. I would have been looking up at the clear blue trying to remember my name and rubbing the huge goose egg on the back of my head.
ej_pez on March 17, 2008 at 8:15 PM
Dude. It’s the REAL iron
mandog.Mojave Mark on March 17, 2008 at 8:21 PM
Mommaaa!
baldilocks on March 17, 2008 at 8:23 PM
That is very awesome! :D
I could see medium to bigger sizes carrying extra ammo and supplies, if we could make em’ 200′ tall, they could stand in for Eva units. :D
You get 1000 bonus pts. for the reference! :D
PolitiNOOB on March 17, 2008 at 8:47 PM
I want to see it lift up its back leg and pee napalm on a terrorist
TC on March 17, 2008 at 8:55 PM
Waoh! DARPA is BACK! First the internet and now this…hold on folks, fun US mil ride ahead (assuming we don’t give this kinda stuff to the Chinese, like Clinton did). Japan, watch out.
AUINSC on March 17, 2008 at 8:57 PM
It’s an All Terrain Armored Transport (ATAT)
I thought it looked familiar.
Kini on March 17, 2008 at 8:59 PM
I saw this a while back. If I remember right they were designed to carry supplies and equipment for soldiers and operate on terrain that no wheel or track vehicle can go. The thing is powered by a gas engine during development and testing but the actual field unit is supposed to be powered by a fuel cell which is pretty quiet. Deadly Quiet.
Could you imagine arming something like that and sending it out on a search and destroy mission? Half the enemy would run away in terror and the other half would get mowed down while they stare at it.
Guardian on March 17, 2008 at 9:04 PM
Proof Positive that GOD IS THE CREATOR OF ALL THINGS…….
awesum on March 17, 2008 at 9:06 PM
I’d be afraid Al Qaeda would try to eat this thing.
warriorlawyer on March 17, 2008 at 9:15 PM
Or make love to it…
warriorlawyer on March 17, 2008 at 9:16 PM
The incredible mincing gaybot. Impressive, sure, but the only way to make it gayer would be to make it wear black ice skates and a speaker saying ‘Hello, Sailor!’ on an endless loop.
Oh, and it would be quieter if they took the vibrator out of its rear ejection port.
James on March 17, 2008 at 9:18 PM
Que the imperial march. We got an AT-AT.
jmartin61 on March 17, 2008 at 9:20 PM
That is really cool, I was really impressed with the way it recovers when it slips or something knocks it off balance. Pretty good work.
The buzzing freaks me out though.
conservnut on March 17, 2008 at 9:21 PM
In war that would not work-they would just shoot the horse.
“With that 2-cycle engine running, put on a bees head and the enemy will think it is a giant bee and let it walk on thru”
lol
allrsn on March 17, 2008 at 9:22 PM
If we use it in Iraq or Afghanistan, the locals will surely try and find out!
bikermailman on March 17, 2008 at 9:22 PM
Ha, thread winner!!!
conservnut on March 17, 2008 at 9:22 PM
BTW, looks like a newborn foal getting its legs to me.
/One with a big fly buzzing around.
bikermailman on March 17, 2008 at 9:23 PM
This thing is just downright creepy.
It’s the way it moves. Like some sort of mockery of life.
Vyce on March 17, 2008 at 9:47 PM
That thing sounds like my 1974 Yamaha RD350, in 2nd gear.
badpenguin on March 17, 2008 at 9:48 PM
2-stroke motors are not gay. Thew loudness of the expansion chamber exhaust may remind you of a chain saw, but remember the EPA considers them “gross polluters” and outlawed the street version motorcycles with 2-stroke motors over 50cc in 1985, which is why I ride one of these monsters. I dare the California Air Quality Resources Management District and EPA to take my RD400 away from me, ’cause I will fight those clean air nazis to the death.
Moreover, the blue smoke coming from the tailpipe strikes fear in the hearts of 4-strokers, as any 4 stroke 750cc rider will attest to after being smoked. This robot merely needs a motor upgrade to something like this.
petit bourgeois on March 17, 2008 at 10:05 PM
That’s what I talking ’bout willis. Ya beat me to it.
petit bourgeois on March 17, 2008 at 10:07 PM
[quote]
Not Half Life 2 “Dog”, but coming closer to it.
In any case i recommend using Llamas for moving supplies.
Aristotle on March 17, 2008 at 6:24 PM
[/quote]
Actually it reminded me of those bi-pedal enemies in Half-Life 2: Episode 2 cept obviously with 4 legs. Way closer to that then the ATAT. Get with your current geek folks! :)
CTDeLude on March 17, 2008 at 10:27 PM
I loved it. In fact how about these instead of ton-tons… (for a different star wars reference)
urbancenturion on March 17, 2008 at 10:35 PM
Place a freshly butchered pigs head securely on the front, dripping with blood – and you’ve got yourself a deal.
wise_man on March 17, 2008 at 10:38 PM
Can you imagine someone 50 years from now looking back at this video? They would recognize it for what it was– the rudimentary steps of a robotic revolution that is coming. It is terrifying to think of how this technology could be used in warfare if you were on the receiving end of it. Brave new world.
gajaw999 on March 18, 2008 at 1:39 AM
Well it was intelligently designed… ;)
vonspringer on March 18, 2008 at 1:53 AM
That kicking scene will be played over and over at Android Rights conventions and rallies in the future.
And Oldnuke is right, we should never have developed the internal combustion engine because we had horses.
That last part was sarcasm.
Merovign on March 18, 2008 at 1:59 AM
And speaking of sarcasm, won’t it be nice when some moron cuts together all of the falling parts and puts it to the music of that irritating “pissing the night away” song?
Irritation aside, yeah, the next generation is going to be really interesting – but every advance that makes a better combatbot will probably make a better human soldier (in terms of gear) as well – I think it’s more likely that soldiers will fight alongside robots in advanced Western nations.
Energy is the limiting factor, really.
Merovign on March 18, 2008 at 2:07 AM
That is arguably the creepiest thing I have ever seen. I imagined it chasing me down and stomping me to death, probably with some kind of maniacal laughter emanating from its belly.
Knuckledragger on March 18, 2008 at 3:51 AM
For some reason, this thing gives me the willies. Reminds me of Jeff Goldblum as he completes transformation into the Brundlefly… in other words, I’d really, really hate to run into this thing in the dark.
Jockolantern on March 18, 2008 at 5:45 AM
Wrap it in human skin and you’ve got the beginnings of a Terminator.
Kafir on March 18, 2008 at 7:55 AM
Yeah, but what happens if it steps on a land mine? I’m thinking ED-209 in the stairwell.
Kafir on March 18, 2008 at 8:20 AM
But this one goes to 11.
Kahuna on March 18, 2008 at 9:02 AM
How many gallons to the mile does it get?
DARPA will study anything that may be offensive (in appearance or use).
MSGTAS on March 18, 2008 at 9:22 AM
Holy Buzzsaw Batman! I never said that! I don’t even like horses. Too much maintenance and cleanup. I love my truck. I’m glad you pointed out that it was sarcasm.
Oldnuke on March 18, 2008 at 9:28 AM
Disguise it as a sheep…
Frozen Tex on March 18, 2008 at 9:38 AM
An amazing accomplishment to be sure, never the less it is the creepy combination of a horse’s gait, two humans dancing & a spider crawling that makes me just want to get bigger guns.
Browncoatone on March 18, 2008 at 10:40 AM
Isn’t it amazing what happenstance can create over millions of years?!
Was this the product of an explosion in a factory?
The Zoo Keeper on March 18, 2008 at 11:31 AM
A terminator that won’t fall down!
You can tell by the way that the back knees bend that that robot would be an excellent humper.
Zetterson on March 18, 2008 at 12:53 PM
The control systems technology necessary to make this work is watershed awesome. See how it recovers after slipping on ice. It goes down on one knee, gets up, goes down in another direction, gets up again …. It actually looks like a live quadraped. It works like a live quadraped. Those are sophisticated rules at work governing the event-response logic. There’s plenty of room for improvement, but it’s at the point where it’s practical. Combine it with the autonomous vehicle technology that’s also being funded by Darpa and you have serious logistics and warfighting potential.
Imagine a NoKo regiment woken by a pre-dawn alert to find a thousand of those coming at them, armed with large rifles and grenade launchers. Yes, they are vulnerable to small arms fire, but with them coming from every direction at once, soldiers who’ve never seen one before are not likely to respond well.
And in the days of mules you had pack artillery: guns too heavy for a squad to carry any distance, but light enough for a mule to carry. We have the same potential here, and not just with guns.
njcommuter on March 18, 2008 at 5:23 PM
A different pop-culture reference for Zetterson: “I want that last part stricken from the record. And my mind!”
Let’s see this kind of thing mated to that manned six-legged logger-mech John Deere built a few years ago and see if a pilot can handle being moved at all like that.
Blacksmith on March 18, 2008 at 5:53 PM
That deer-like leap at the end has me kinda freaked out…
Livefreeordie on March 27, 2008 at 12:14 AM