new Big Dog videos - impressive!

[Admin]

Boston Dynamics has released new video of their 4 legged Big Dog.

The balancing capabilities are amazing!

[youtube]mmVaLp8icoU[/youtube]

[airman00]

that is amazing

How are they making the legs move? Muscle wire, servos, what is it?

[hgordon]

Not exactly "stealth", but still very impressive.  It will be nice when they can get rid of that weed-wacker engine.

[IceMetal]

I'm pretty impressed with the run and the jumping, I wonder if it can climb stairs,

[JonHylands]

The legs are hydraulic, thus the need for the "weed-whacker" engine...

I would think, given the load-carrying capacity of that thing, that they could give up 50 lbs to some high-end lithium batteries, and run a big brushless motor to drive the hydraulic pump...

- Jon

[TrickyNekro]

Yep, it's noisy!!!
It's kinda wonder why they would use such an old technology ( inner combustion engine ) for such a high-tech thing!!!
It must be the refuel time which pays the sacrifice!!! Since batteries still need to be recharged, but with an engine you can provide power too!!!
It's still amazing although!!! Actually walking like a dog, or a human on four!!! ( I hope this is not swearing I don't know)

[ed1380]

i dont remember it being so noisy in the old vids.
still walks funny

[TrickyNekro]

i dont remember it being so noisy in the old vids.
still walks funny

But I do... It the gas engine which makes a terrible sound....
But anyways... Amazing...

[superchiku]

cool design work done with the chasisand movement mechanism

[JonHylands]

It's kinda wonder why they would use such an old technology ( inner combustion engine ) for such a high-tech thing!!!

Well, the reason they do this is because there are no batteries on earth that can provide anywhere close to the energy density of gasoline...

- Jon

[Ro-Bot-X]

Actually, there is wather. There are pure water motors in the works as an alternative to gasoline. Until they are ready for production, there is the Brown Gas Cell (splits H2O {liquid} in HHO {gas}) that increases the mileage on a regular motor up to 100%.

[ed1380]

yeah whatever :p
diesel pwnorz all

[TrickyNekro]

Actually, there is water. There are pure water motors in the works as an alternative to gasoline. Until they are ready for production, there is the Brown Gas Cell (splits H2O {liquid} in HHO {gas}) that increases the mileage on a regular motor up to 100%.

And the engines can provide the same torque at the same RPM??? If yes then Hybrid cars are just a commercial Logo and not the most environmentally friendly.....

[JonHylands]

And if you believe there are water engines coming right around the corner, I've got a perpetual motion machine here I'd like to sell to you...

- Jon