by Christianna Garrett-Martin

Created on: November 29, 2008   Last Updated: December 16, 2009

- Robotics - BigDog -

BigDog is an amazing invention which is being pioneered by Boston Dynamics. It comes in the form of a long-legged quadruped robot dog that manoeuvres like a tank and buzzes like a fly.

I have never seen anything like it before, it is amazing and it really does put me firmly in mind of the shape of things to come. The development of Robots have come a long way in the last few decades and this new breed of scientific Robotics are very impressive indeed.

- The Most Advanced Quadruped Robot on Earth -

This highly advanced and intelligent creation is a taste of the future and could lead to so much more in robotic creation. In the above video you see a soldier giving the 'dog' an almighty kick to the side to display the RobotDogs recovery of balance, even when manoeuvring itself on very slippery ice and trudging over rough terrain.

I had a sense that you shouldn't really be kicking a robot so aggressively, as this highly intelligent computerised robot may just turn round and bite the hand that feeds it, metaphorically speaking. The BigDog made a low growling sound when he received the kick, further reinforcing my fears.

I find these strange RobotDogs a little scary in their single-mindedness and I always worry that these Robotic creation might just have a mind and will of their own, as it moves on with a gritty determination towards it goal.The robotic age is well upon us and to me it conjures up visions of a highly advanced technological future generation on the not too distant horizon.

"BigDog is the alpha male of the Boston Dynamics family of robots".

BigDog is a robot that is designed and engineered to do many things. In appearance it is similar to a dog, in its size and in its leg movements. Which is due to its incredible hydraulic actuation engine, onboard computer and sensors which motivate the movement and balance of the BigDog Robot.

The movements that the BigDog is capable of are, walking, running in a trot like movement, climbing steep gradients in difficult conditions, such as deep snow or rough ground. The BigDog also climbs over terrain, clambers across ice with speed and ease and never falls. The BigDog has amazing control over its balance and if it stumbles or trips it regains complete balance immediately.

This highly advanced robot has a fantastic future to aid our armed forces on land manoeuvres and in action. It also can carry a load on its back of up to 340 lb. Give this dog a gun, and its good to go.

- The Robots Energies

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