Atlas robot's latest version

[jeffbert]

Interesting article; includes a video clip. Should be covered in the NOVA program, also.

Article notes robot's improved balance, ability to recover balance, & lack of tether.

http://www.gizmag.com/boston-dynamics-new-atlas/42007/?utm_source=Gizmag+Subscribers&utm_campaign=35d3aaf128-UA-2235360-4&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_65b67362bd-35d3aaf128-76704577

[Rejoyce]

I watched most of the show yesterday; it was very cool! It was so sad watching the robots tip over. But why on earth did they remove the tethers for the competition? I wouldn't want to risk damaging a million-dollar robot. I liked the part where they talked about hands, too.

[Tetsuwan Penguin]

I missed the show yesterday, I had an important meeting to go to. I just found that Nova put the video up on their website, so if anyone else missed it you can watch it here.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/tech/rise-of-the-robots.html

One thing I found interesting, was how difficult it is to make a humanoid robot. The larger they are the heavier they are, and that makes them even more difficult to move without falling down. A man sized robot can end up weighing over 400 lbs! OTHO, a smaller humanoid robot is easier to build that can walk and perform human like movements. Honda's Asimo is one of the smaller sized humanoid robots. Interestingly he is actually the same size that Astro was described at, about 4.5' tall.

[jeffbert]

Anyone remember the FEMBOTS from THE $6M MAN? They were also very heavy; I recall the Oscar Goldman one being revealed as such after stepping on & totally crushing a pencil.

I expect to watch it tonight.