Google Adds to Their Robot Collection
Google continues to bet big on robots. Yesterday, they confirmed their eighth purchase of a robot manufacturer in the last six months with the acquisition of Boston Dynamics, the engineering team behind a mind-blowing menagerie of machines that can walk, hop, and even run in rugged terrain, including their most famous creation to date: Big Dog.
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- For “the Betterment of Mankind…”
- Is This the Beginning of Skynet?
- Boston Dynamics’ Wildcat Robot
- The BigDog Robot
- The PetMan Humanoid Robot
- Atlas, the Humanoid Robot
(BigDog can navigate a variety of terrain, including rocks, snow, and water.)
For “the Betterment of Mankind…”
While Google has stated that they will continue to honor existing contracts between Boston Dynamics and the Pentagon's Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), they have stressed that they don't see the robotics company as a military contractor but as a key player in the advancement of technology for the betterment of mankind.
(Humanoid, insectoid, and feline-inspired robots from Boston Dynamics.)
Is This the Beginning of Skynet?
Now, we're not conspiracy theorists around here, but we are obsessed with the Terminator films. Doesn't the undisputed master of the internet acquiring the undisputed master of military robotics feel a little bit like the beginning of Skynet?
While you chew on that chilling thought, watch Boston Dynamics's robots in action below.
-Matt Winston
Boston Dynamics’ Wildcat Robot
A four-legged robot was developed to run fast on all types of terrain. So far, WildCat has run at about 16 mph on flat terrain using bounding and galloping gaits.
The BigDog Robot
A four-legged robot that climbs in the woods keeps its balance when kicked and when slipping on ice, travels through snow and mud, jogs 5 mph, and climbs some rubble.
The PetMan Humanoid Robot
Used to test the performance of protective clothing designed for hazardous environments. The video shows initial testing in a chemical protection suit and gas mask. PETMAN has sensors embedded in its skin that detect any chemicals leaking through the suit.
Atlas, the Humanoid Robot
ATLAS is a hydraulically powered robot in the form of an adult human. It is capable of a variety of natural movements, including dynamic walking, calisthenics, and user-programmed behavior. Based on the Petman humanoid robot platform, Atlas was modified to meet the needs of the DARPA Robotics Challenge.