I, Robot. You, Weakling.
February 28, 2017 11:07 AM Subscribe
Handle is the latest research robot from Alphabet, Inc. It's capabilities are stunning (SLYT).
There were stories of Toyota being about to buy Boston Dynamics well into the summer last year. That still has not happened though.
posted by w0mbat at 11:19 AM on February 28, 2017
posted by w0mbat at 11:19 AM on February 28, 2017
When it goes out to the parking lot, I wanted to see it demo a Cold Steel sword
posted by thelonius at 11:19 AM on February 28, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by thelonius at 11:19 AM on February 28, 2017 [3 favorites]
They need to put a cute hat on that thing, because right now it's pretty terrifying.
posted by Mchelly at 11:19 AM on February 28, 2017 [12 favorites]
posted by Mchelly at 11:19 AM on February 28, 2017 [12 favorites]
Our only hope is that the frame after the cut at the end is the robot crashing catastrophically to the ground and exploding in a fireball. But more likely we're just doomed.
posted by straight at 11:22 AM on February 28, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by straight at 11:22 AM on February 28, 2017 [4 favorites]
So, robots will eventually climb stairs by just jumping over all of them.
posted by Going To Maine at 11:24 AM on February 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Going To Maine at 11:24 AM on February 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
I liked where it was twerking.
"endpoint control"
posted by GuyZero at 11:24 AM on February 28, 2017 [7 favorites]
"endpoint control"
posted by GuyZero at 11:24 AM on February 28, 2017 [7 favorites]
1) Likely does better than most BoDyn engineers in crossing the snowy hill.
2) Faclities is pissed about Hill Test day, new scuffs in unprotected hallway. "Robofix that turf, ya bastards."
3) Would love to see it session at a skate park.
4) Replace arms with rocket launchers.
posted by Ogre Lawless at 11:25 AM on February 28, 2017 [3 favorites]
2) Faclities is pissed about Hill Test day, new scuffs in unprotected hallway. "Robofix that turf, ya bastards."
3) Would love to see it session at a skate park.
4) Replace arms with rocket launchers.
posted by Ogre Lawless at 11:25 AM on February 28, 2017 [3 favorites]
With those sweet moves, this is an early 90s rad movie waiting to happen: BD THE ROLLERBLADE ROBOT. And the terrible crossover nobody asked BD VS THE BLADE RUNNER.
Dude, have you ever wiped out a wastoid by mistake?
posted by lmfsilva at 11:26 AM on February 28, 2017 [2 favorites]
Dude, have you ever wiped out a wastoid by mistake?
posted by lmfsilva at 11:26 AM on February 28, 2017 [2 favorites]
Kind of looks like a permanently rearing up horse with wheels for back legs to me. Specifically this horse.
posted by steveminutillo at 11:28 AM on February 28, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by steveminutillo at 11:28 AM on February 28, 2017 [2 favorites]
I liked where it was twerking.
I thought it looked like it was trying to take a dump right after.
You know, to get rid of the indigestible human parts that it can't yet convert to energy. Like bones stripped of marrow and such.
posted by Hairy Lobster at 11:30 AM on February 28, 2017 [5 favorites]
I thought it looked like it was trying to take a dump right after.
You know, to get rid of the indigestible human parts that it can't yet convert to energy. Like bones stripped of marrow and such.
posted by Hairy Lobster at 11:30 AM on February 28, 2017 [5 favorites]
put a cute hat on that thing,
Highly effective, ultra-reliable sensors are probably one thing that will slow the actual use of robots that interact with people directly. Actually robots are mobile industrial equipment, and very dangerous in the same sense as wandering around an active factory can easily cause the loss of fingers and toes. Actual working robotic arms generally have a working radius that is clearly demarcated by large yellow DO NOT CROSS lines.
BD really does do the best demos.
posted by sammyo at 11:30 AM on February 28, 2017 [3 favorites]
Highly effective, ultra-reliable sensors are probably one thing that will slow the actual use of robots that interact with people directly. Actually robots are mobile industrial equipment, and very dangerous in the same sense as wandering around an active factory can easily cause the loss of fingers and toes. Actual working robotic arms generally have a working radius that is clearly demarcated by large yellow DO NOT CROSS lines.
BD really does do the best demos.
posted by sammyo at 11:30 AM on February 28, 2017 [3 favorites]
I'm torn between terror and a desire to write choreography for it.
posted by Nancy Lebovitz at 11:33 AM on February 28, 2017 [6 favorites]
posted by Nancy Lebovitz at 11:33 AM on February 28, 2017 [6 favorites]
What is the point of making it vaguely anthroform? If stability is desired the 4 legs seems preferable and if you still need lifting arms then a centauroid design seems like it would be optimal.
posted by vuron at 11:37 AM on February 28, 2017
posted by vuron at 11:37 AM on February 28, 2017
previously
I would have made a James Baxter joke, but someone in that thread covered it.
posted by paper chromatographologist at 11:38 AM on February 28, 2017 [3 favorites]
I would have made a James Baxter joke, but someone in that thread covered it.
posted by paper chromatographologist at 11:38 AM on February 28, 2017 [3 favorites]
What is the point of making it vaguely anthroform?
So it can move and interact in human spaces, I suspect.
posted by smidgen at 11:38 AM on February 28, 2017 [2 favorites]
So it can move and interact in human spaces, I suspect.
posted by smidgen at 11:38 AM on February 28, 2017 [2 favorites]
Hey SARS, let's just take the blood-chilling terror down to about 60%
OK Meatsack
40%
posted by fullerine at 11:39 AM on February 28, 2017 [8 favorites]
OK Meatsack
40%
posted by fullerine at 11:39 AM on February 28, 2017 [8 favorites]
What is the point of making it vaguely anthroform?
To maximize the body horror.
posted by leotrotsky at 11:40 AM on February 28, 2017 [6 favorites]
To maximize the body horror.
posted by leotrotsky at 11:40 AM on February 28, 2017 [6 favorites]
It spins counter-clockwise...the inhuman monstrosity.
The jumping at the end was pretty spectacular. Holy moly.
posted by Abehammerb Lincoln at 11:43 AM on February 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
The jumping at the end was pretty spectacular. Holy moly.
posted by Abehammerb Lincoln at 11:43 AM on February 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
Jokes on them. I and my loved ones all weigh much more than one hundred pounds. Wait... but not the dogs. This explains so much of the Terminator future dogs barking thing.
posted by jeribus at 11:45 AM on February 28, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by jeribus at 11:45 AM on February 28, 2017 [2 favorites]
I spent a couple of months in a wheelchair when I was a teenager, and the one thing that bothered me more than anything else (and I did have a list, let me tell you) was being seated when moving around walking/standing people. They're fucking oblivious in the best of cases, and being talked down to sucks. I moved to crutches far before it was really practical because of that.
Can you imagine what something like this might do for the disabled in terms of being able to integrate and move about in society a bit more easily ?
posted by Pogo_Fuzzybutt at 11:47 AM on February 28, 2017 [11 favorites]
Can you imagine what something like this might do for the disabled in terms of being able to integrate and move about in society a bit more easily ?
posted by Pogo_Fuzzybutt at 11:47 AM on February 28, 2017 [11 favorites]
Holy shit. Clearly something happened at Boston Dynamics lately. If I'm not mistaken, most of the previous robots were powered by internal combustion and were very complex and with little range or fairly specialized capabilities. This is electrical, has a pretty big range, and can do a bunch of different stuff. I don't quite know what the breakthrough might have been (although the "uses electric power to operate both electric and hydraulic actuators" might be one hint), but this is a pretty huge leap forward.
posted by Joakim Ziegler at 11:49 AM on February 28, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by Joakim Ziegler at 11:49 AM on February 28, 2017 [2 favorites]
I think it's cute and endearing, in this video. But why does it look just like the nightmare inducing one that was leaked recently? Is it the same one? Does HD resolution make things cuter?
posted by polymodus at 11:50 AM on February 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by polymodus at 11:50 AM on February 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
I would like to see solid numbers on the cost of maintenance for these machines. I can imagine a funny leasing system, gouging buyers with enormous fees when they attempt DIY fixes. Warehouses of machines with terrible home and "engineered" fixes. High costs as Google phases out different models and limits its parts calendar.
posted by parmanparman at 11:52 AM on February 28, 2017
posted by parmanparman at 11:52 AM on February 28, 2017
Looks like good progress on the Hunter-Killer prototype. Any update on the liguid medal alloy project?
posted by The Tensor at 11:53 AM on February 28, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by The Tensor at 11:53 AM on February 28, 2017 [2 favorites]
BEWARE THE WHEELERS
posted by Esteemed Offendi at 11:53 AM on February 28, 2017 [10 favorites]
posted by Esteemed Offendi at 11:53 AM on February 28, 2017 [10 favorites]
little range or fairly specialized capabilities
Wheels are more energy efficient than legs ...on flat surfaces with good traction (PDF paper that discusses Big Dog among others).
Higher capacity and much lighter lithium batteries have also gotten a lot more reliable in the past decade (at least if you're not rushing like Samsung did).
I'm sure there's computational and mechanical issues too. But those are two big reasons Handle can be electric.
posted by bonehead at 12:06 PM on February 28, 2017
Wheels are more energy efficient than legs ...on flat surfaces with good traction (PDF paper that discusses Big Dog among others).
Higher capacity and much lighter lithium batteries have also gotten a lot more reliable in the past decade (at least if you're not rushing like Samsung did).
I'm sure there's computational and mechanical issues too. But those are two big reasons Handle can be electric.
posted by bonehead at 12:06 PM on February 28, 2017
garbage abject trap synths
Weird Al, singing in fake whitey nerd patois:
"Control, control your endpoints
Work work work endpoints baby"
posted by idiopath at 12:09 PM on February 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
Weird Al, singing in fake whitey nerd patois:
"Control, control your endpoints
Work work work endpoints baby"
posted by idiopath at 12:09 PM on February 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
It's capabilities are stunning
Sure, but can it love?
posted by Cat Pie Hurts at 12:11 PM on February 28, 2017 [3 favorites]
Sure, but can it love?
posted by Cat Pie Hurts at 12:11 PM on February 28, 2017 [3 favorites]
Can you imagine what something like this might do for the disabled in terms of being able to integrate and move about in society a bit more easily ?
iBot is back! - the guy who invented the Segway had designed & developed what you describe.
posted by GuyZero at 12:16 PM on February 28, 2017
iBot is back! - the guy who invented the Segway had designed & developed what you describe.
posted by GuyZero at 12:16 PM on February 28, 2017
I, for one, welcome our new backward-rolling, permanently pooping, 100-lb lifting overlord.
posted by chavenet at 12:17 PM on February 28, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by chavenet at 12:17 PM on February 28, 2017 [2 favorites]
RUN IDDLE FREND RUN
posted by Foci for Analysis at 12:19 PM on February 28, 2017
posted by Foci for Analysis at 12:19 PM on February 28, 2017
It looks so joyful after it bumps down the stairs. A bit like my two-year-old after she's jumped off the couch and given me half a coronary.
posted by uncleozzy at 12:20 PM on February 28, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by uncleozzy at 12:20 PM on February 28, 2017 [2 favorites]
Next to Boston Dynamics, in Waltham, MA is Prospect Hill Park*, which is a gorgeous little walking and hiking area in the middle of Waltham. I have to wonder if they ever send their creepy robots to run around the trails to scare the shit out of people. (there's an eerie comm tower and water tank up at the top of the hill. I can just imagine this robot peeking out and coming at me at a hard roll!)
* if you're ever in the area, go check it out. It's a lovely walk, and there's great views of Boston!
posted by Cat Pie Hurts at 12:22 PM on February 28, 2017
* if you're ever in the area, go check it out. It's a lovely walk, and there's great views of Boston!
posted by Cat Pie Hurts at 12:22 PM on February 28, 2017
They need to put a cute hat on that thing, because right now it's pretty terrifying.
It's actually better if it doesn't look cute.
That vague sense of unease some people are expressing? That needs to be explained, concretized, and the potential problems people are hinting at need to be made very explicit. Otherwise there's not much chance of limiting them.
posted by amtho at 12:30 PM on February 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
It's actually better if it doesn't look cute.
That vague sense of unease some people are expressing? That needs to be explained, concretized, and the potential problems people are hinting at need to be made very explicit. Otherwise there's not much chance of limiting them.
posted by amtho at 12:30 PM on February 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
Man when it went down the steps to go outside I expected the next shot to be it pinning a fleshy one up against a car and taking their wallet.
Sure, but can it love?
You have to enter your birth date to see that video.
If stability is desired the 4 legs seems preferable
Two legs better.
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 12:48 PM on February 28, 2017
Sure, but can it love?
You have to enter your birth date to see that video.
If stability is desired the 4 legs seems preferable
Two legs better.
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 12:48 PM on February 28, 2017
You got your Segway in my Big Dog!
You got your Big Dog in my Segway!
Big Dog and Segway -- two horrible ideas that are far more horrible together: Handle!
In seriousness, the wheels are probably a lot more power efficient than the hydraulic walking legs of Big Dog, thus the greater range on battery power. Still would not want to meet it in a dark alley as a character in a Philip K. Dick novel.
posted by Bringer Tom at 12:51 PM on February 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
You got your Big Dog in my Segway!
Big Dog and Segway -- two horrible ideas that are far more horrible together: Handle!
In seriousness, the wheels are probably a lot more power efficient than the hydraulic walking legs of Big Dog, thus the greater range on battery power. Still would not want to meet it in a dark alley as a character in a Philip K. Dick novel.
posted by Bringer Tom at 12:51 PM on February 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
What is the point of making it vaguely anthroform?
So it can move and interact in human spaces, I suspect.
To scare the bejeezus out of ISIS (or other future baddies) (considering the likeliest customer with the biggest pockets:)
posted by sammyo at 1:12 PM on February 28, 2017
So it can move and interact in human spaces, I suspect.
To scare the bejeezus out of ISIS (or other future baddies) (considering the likeliest customer with the biggest pockets:)
posted by sammyo at 1:12 PM on February 28, 2017
I especially like the freeze frame at the end.
* cue "Any way you want it" *
posted by PlusDistance at 1:32 PM on February 28, 2017 [2 favorites]
* cue "Any way you want it" *
posted by PlusDistance at 1:32 PM on February 28, 2017 [2 favorites]
I find this robot video much more soothing.
posted by cynical pinnacle at 1:39 PM on February 28, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by cynical pinnacle at 1:39 PM on February 28, 2017 [5 favorites]
I find this robot video much more soothing.
Less soothing when you realize the robots just put that together to lull us all into a false sense of superiority.
posted by Coventry at 1:55 PM on February 28, 2017
Less soothing when you realize the robots just put that together to lull us all into a false sense of superiority.
posted by Coventry at 1:55 PM on February 28, 2017
"Now, where's that jerk with the hockey stick?"
posted by Standeck at 2:03 PM on February 28, 2017 [13 favorites]
posted by Standeck at 2:03 PM on February 28, 2017 [13 favorites]
Why do all of Boston Dynamics' videos end with the robot escaping the facility?!?
posted by The Pluto Gangsta at 2:09 PM on February 28, 2017 [17 favorites]
posted by The Pluto Gangsta at 2:09 PM on February 28, 2017 [17 favorites]
I thought it looked like it was trying to take a dump right after.
I don't think No Face ever takes a dump, he just keeps getting bigger and more ravenous.
posted by polecat at 2:15 PM on February 28, 2017
I don't think No Face ever takes a dump, he just keeps getting bigger and more ravenous.
posted by polecat at 2:15 PM on February 28, 2017
Which part is the front? Or, better yet, why does it always look like it's going backwards?
posted by valkane at 2:18 PM on February 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by valkane at 2:18 PM on February 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
The way this thing moves reminded me strongly of how mountain bikers move. Very cool!
3) Would love to see it session at a skate park.
Seconded.
posted by indubitable at 2:25 PM on February 28, 2017
3) Would love to see it session at a skate park.
Seconded.
posted by indubitable at 2:25 PM on February 28, 2017
Xanadu but with robots. Worse or better?
posted by MuppetNavy at 2:26 PM on February 28, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by MuppetNavy at 2:26 PM on February 28, 2017 [2 favorites]
I wonder how long they can survive without being tethered to their power source. That seems to be one of the final hurdles in having these things (and robotized shelving) replace most of the jobs in a warehouse.
posted by codacorolla at 3:08 PM on February 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by codacorolla at 3:08 PM on February 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
I wonder how long they can survive without being tethered to their power source.
I would guess a few hours. I think the reversion to wheels was entirely power related, as it compromises a lot of terrain capability. BD's previous efforts were more pure efforts at dealing with rough terrain, but the result was not very power efficient especially when the robot did have a smooth road. I think Handle is a compromise for power efficiency while retaining some terrain capability. We never saw the legged robots working on autonomous battery power, probably because they couldn't for more than a few minutes at a time. Handle is a back up and punt effort in the direction of battery life.
posted by Bringer Tom at 3:15 PM on February 28, 2017
I would guess a few hours. I think the reversion to wheels was entirely power related, as it compromises a lot of terrain capability. BD's previous efforts were more pure efforts at dealing with rough terrain, but the result was not very power efficient especially when the robot did have a smooth road. I think Handle is a compromise for power efficiency while retaining some terrain capability. We never saw the legged robots working on autonomous battery power, probably because they couldn't for more than a few minutes at a time. Handle is a back up and punt effort in the direction of battery life.
posted by Bringer Tom at 3:15 PM on February 28, 2017
But have they taught it to kick the Big Dog robot yet? Because working out new ways to kick that robo-dog seems to be Boston Dynamics' main mission objective.
posted by FatherDagon at 3:17 PM on February 28, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by FatherDagon at 3:17 PM on February 28, 2017 [2 favorites]
Was anyone else reminded of the first machine the kids built in Shane Carruth's A Topiary? I think they called it a Chorus.
posted by Insert Clever Name Here at 3:22 PM on February 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Insert Clever Name Here at 3:22 PM on February 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
So this thing leapt down the stairs quite enthusiastically but is there any footage of it going up any stairs?
Also I kept thinking "a large enough sandpit should destabilise and stop this thing" . If I am wrong please tell me how.
posted by Faintdreams at 4:59 PM on February 28, 2017
Also I kept thinking "a large enough sandpit should destabilise and stop this thing" . If I am wrong please tell me how.
posted by Faintdreams at 4:59 PM on February 28, 2017
Which part is the front? Or, better yet, why does it always look like it's going backwards?
Don't think arms; think tails.
posted by butterstick at 5:07 PM on February 28, 2017
Don't think arms; think tails.
posted by butterstick at 5:07 PM on February 28, 2017
Johnny 0.5
posted by snuffleupagus at 5:19 PM on February 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by snuffleupagus at 5:19 PM on February 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
What is the point of making it vaguely anthroform?
They probably didn't set out to make it anthroform. Human evolution and roboticists solve the same problem: to optimize the physical abilities of an organism, within the constraints of physical laws. It's unsurprising that they would arrive at similar solutions. Think of it as parallel evolution: two species arriving at the same solution to a problem, because that solution happens to be the best solution.
Google "biomimicry" for more of this kind of thing. It's big in robotics right now.
posted by escape from the potato planet at 6:36 PM on February 28, 2017 [3 favorites]
They probably didn't set out to make it anthroform. Human evolution and roboticists solve the same problem: to optimize the physical abilities of an organism, within the constraints of physical laws. It's unsurprising that they would arrive at similar solutions. Think of it as parallel evolution: two species arriving at the same solution to a problem, because that solution happens to be the best solution.
Google "biomimicry" for more of this kind of thing. It's big in robotics right now.
posted by escape from the potato planet at 6:36 PM on February 28, 2017 [3 favorites]
Well, good- it's fucking escaping.
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 8:14 PM on February 28, 2017
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 8:14 PM on February 28, 2017
In the future whenever someone in authority has to yell into a comlink "We've got a runner!" these will be what they will dispatch.
posted by sourwookie at 8:26 PM on February 28, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by sourwookie at 8:26 PM on February 28, 2017 [3 favorites]
Imagine riding on it.
posted by Mei's lost sandal at 10:05 PM on February 28, 2017
posted by Mei's lost sandal at 10:05 PM on February 28, 2017
After having watched countless 80's and 90's thrasher videos, it would have been more impressive if he'd done an Ollie Impossible off the stairs...
posted by Nanukthedog at 5:17 AM on March 1, 2017
posted by Nanukthedog at 5:17 AM on March 1, 2017
"Our ancestors really fucked us with these killbots that roam our streets and execute us on sight but wow they really managed to imbue them with the ability to fill a stock human with dread and fear on sight, which-" [zap]
- my grandchild, probably
posted by Tevin at 5:22 AM on March 1, 2017
- my grandchild, probably
posted by Tevin at 5:22 AM on March 1, 2017
Come for the faceless, backward-limbed horror, stay for the sick skate tricks.
posted by BrashTech at 5:40 AM on March 1, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by BrashTech at 5:40 AM on March 1, 2017 [1 favorite]
I wonder how long they can survive without being tethered to their power source. That seems to be one of the final hurdles in having these things (and robotized shelving) replace most of the jobs in a warehouse.A warehouse is probably a scenario where this is not a problem. You could easily install some sort of power rail system in the ceiling and just have tethers glide around.
posted by Joakim Ziegler at 9:19 AM on March 1, 2017
A warehouse is probably a scenario where this is not a problem. You could easily install some sort of power rail system in the ceiling and just have tethers glide around.
How long could you expect to operate on an affordable battery, and how quickly can you charge them? It can just be an easily swappable backpack. Roll through the (also automated) swap station every 15 minutes or whatever.
posted by snuffleupagus at 10:06 AM on March 1, 2017
How long could you expect to operate on an affordable battery, and how quickly can you charge them? It can just be an easily swappable backpack. Roll through the (also automated) swap station every 15 minutes or whatever.
posted by snuffleupagus at 10:06 AM on March 1, 2017
Well done, BD. This is the right way to build an AT-ST - with wheels and without the incompetent stormtroopers.
posted by vanar sena at 7:53 PM on March 1, 2017
posted by vanar sena at 7:53 PM on March 1, 2017
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posted by sammyo at 11:13 AM on February 28, 2017 [3 favorites]