September 10, 2012
— Ace A few days old now, but DARPA has a new "cheetah" robot that can outrun a human.
Video under the fold.
@kenwheaton writes to note that this demonstrator, while neat, "cheats" because the power supply is external (note the power cords attaching to the "cheetah's" back). It's a neat demonstration, but obviously the thing will need power, and that's going to add weight.
One thing that occurs to me is that they keep finding that mimicking the actual movements of animals is both doable and very efficient. And it occurs then to me that the "cheetah" maintains the same movement the whole time it's running, and doesn't break into, say, the cheetah version of a charging gallop. I bet when they perfect this it will do that, changing the locomotion of its legs to kick in on the top speed.
Much closer to deployment out on the field is Boston Dynamic's "Mule" robot, which looks just like a mule, actually. (Well, you have to imagine a skin over it.)
Watch it follow the leader, navigate hills and rocky terrain, and get up from its belly:
Little noisy. Sounds like it's blowing the leaves off my sidewalk. Otherwise, darned thing is almost ready to start schlepping ammo and water.
And here's that cheetah:
Meanwhile, in consumer tech, Amazon is releasing a new Fire tablet, as well as its newest ereader, the Kindle Paperwhite, so called because they've ditched the dark-gray/tin-colored screen (optimistically called "Pearl") in favor of a pure white one.
Plus, it's got integrated lighting. Front-lit -- it's very clever. It has a bunch of microchannels printed into the underside of the top screen, which permits it to distribute light all over the page, more or less evenly, even though it's all coming from the same point-source or four.
And they've apparently updated the interface. The interface used to be (is, currently) very utilitarian. It does what it's supposed to do, but it looks pretty crude.
Meanwhile, for anyone thinking about buying into this technology, they've made improvements to their old model and dropped the price to $69, which ain't bad at all. You don't have the touch feature, or the lighted page, but otherwise it's a Kindle.
I had thought about getting the Barnes and Noble Glowlight (also with integrated front-lighting) but based on early reviews hands-on demos, the Paperwhite seems superior.
In fairness, no one has reviewed the Paperwhite yet -- Amazon just let people play with them at an unveiling ceremony. it's not really fair to compare a brief playing-around with a full hands-on review.
That said... Yeah, seems the Paperwhite beats the Nook. I'm trying not to be a fanboy here but at least based on the pre-reviews, the Paperwhite distributes light a bit better than the Nook. Plus, the white screen.
I think the white screen has been tough until now for technical reasons. That said, I don't think a pure white page is best. Now that they've demonstrated bright white can be done -- which is their big show-off thing here -- I bet later models will go to an off-white or light cream color.
Sometimes I don't like the dingy tin of the current screen, but I'm not sure I want the high contrast of bright white.
Meanwhile, Apple is probably releasing the iPhone 5 later this week, and maybe something else, like maybe another iPad or mini-iPad.
Bonus: Discussion of the next potential step in drone technologies -- an "ethical governor" that would permit it to make its own lethal decisions.
Posted by: Ace at
12:26 PM
| Comments (195)
Post contains 595 words, total size 4 kb.
Posted by: t-bird at September 10, 2012 12:31 PM (FcR7P)
Posted by: fluffy at September 10, 2012 12:31 PM (z9HTb)
Posted by: AllenG (Dedicated Tenther) Channelling Breitbart at September 10, 2012 12:32 PM (8y9MW)
They're cheap, etc.
Or a local with a basket on his head?
Who is paying for this in broke America?
Posted by: DaveA at September 10, 2012 12:33 PM (nKOL2)
Posted by: Dr Spank at September 10, 2012 12:33 PM (fLk7W)
He's gotten too lazy to steal content from hotair; he just does it from his own sidebar now.
Posted by: lorien1973 at September 10, 2012 12:33 PM (0tkqC)
He hadn't.
Instead, Neusner was one of nearly 3,000 donors who stumbled onto a network of look-alike campaign websites that have netted more than $570,000 this year in what some are calling a sophisticated political phishing scheme.
The websites have the trappings of official campaign pages: smiling candidate photos and videos, issue pages, and a large red "donate" button at the top. Except that proceeds from the shadow sites go not to the candidates pictured, but to an obscure conservative group run by an Arizona activist.
Such doppelgänger sites exist for nearly three-dozen prominent GOP figures, including presidential nominee Mitt Romney, House Speaker John Boehner, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, and donation magnets such as Reps. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota and Allen West of Florida.
Posted by: Charles Ponzi at September 10, 2012 12:34 PM (e8kgV)
and maybe something else, like maybe another iPad or mini-iPad.
I think the announcement for that will actually happen next month. The Wednesday is definitely for the iPhone 5 though. The advertising material shows the date 9-12 giving a shadow of a 5.
Posted by: buzzion at September 10, 2012 12:34 PM (GULKT)
Posted by: © Sponge at September 10, 2012 12:34 PM (nDcVA)
Posted by: ace at September 10, 2012 12:35 PM (fxHyG)
They die when they get shot. They can pull up lame. You have to feed them. Combat training an animal (like a horse, donkey, or mule) is difficult and time consuming. Someone has to muck out the stables. They need pretty constant re-shoeing. They're not nearly as nifty.
Posted by: AllenG (Dedicated Tenther) Channelling Breitbart at September 10, 2012 12:35 PM (8y9MW)
Posted by: Max Wedge at September 10, 2012 12:35 PM (R8Qio)
Posted by: Dr. Varno at September 10, 2012 12:36 PM (mZ8Y2)
I would let that mule hump my ruck or machine gun tripod up a mountain, but I wouldn't want that noisy shitbox anywhere near me on a patrol or a movement to contact.
Fuckin bullet magnet.
Posted by: Empire of Jeff at September 10, 2012 12:36 PM (Bdaaw)
Posted by: Dr Spank at September 10, 2012 12:37 PM (fLk7W)
Posted by: AllenG (Dedicated Tenther) Channelling Breitbart at September 10, 2012 12:38 PM (8y9MW)
Posted by: cajun carrot at September 10, 2012 12:39 PM (UZQM8)
Posted by: lorien1973 at September 10, 2012 12:39 PM (0tkqC)
Again, prototype. They're going to refit it with noise-dampening systems. It's not like we want to give the Chinese the actual sound-signature this far in advance, now do we?
Posted by: PETA marketing [/i] [/b] at September 10, 2012 12:39 PM (xrX4n)
Posted by: Not and Artist at September 10, 2012 12:39 PM (uRumV)
Posted by: Stark Dickflüssig at September 10, 2012 12:39 PM (Y6/7p)
Posted by: i am mad as hell and i am not going to take it anymore at September 10, 2012 12:40 PM (cgxNI)
The mule might be a decent way to evac casualties under fire, though. Either dragging a stretcher like a travois or securing it to the belly - maybe some ballistic protective skirts to drop down the sides.
And a beer cooler.
Posted by: Empire of Jeff at September 10, 2012 12:40 PM (Bdaaw)
And are they eating PBJ sammiches?
Posted by: fluffy, authentic iceback at September 10, 2012 12:41 PM (z9HTb)
Posted by: Oldsailors Poet, Wonders what Dagny thinks at September 10, 2012 12:41 PM (9TTOe)
(I denounce myself).
Posted by: AllenG (Dedicated Tenther) Channelling Breitbart at September 10, 2012 12:42 PM (8y9MW)
Posted by: t-bird at September 10, 2012 12:42 PM (FcR7P)
Posted by: ace at September 10, 2012 12:42 PM (fxHyG)
Posted by: J.J. Sefton at September 10, 2012 12:42 PM (+tqYo)
Posted by: fluffy, authentic iceback at September 10, 2012 04:41 PM (z9HTb)
---------------------------
Ur a great American.
Posted by: Not and Artist at September 10, 2012 12:43 PM (uRumV)
You can't put live Mules in a cargo container...for weeks.
And transporting them by air, is problematic, as well.
I would think that this is one of the reasons for trying to come up with a viable, all-terrain, robotic carrier.
It's cool that they've added those 'roll bar' things to the Mule design...since they are vulnerable to tipping over.
Posted by: wheatie at September 10, 2012 12:43 PM (6OdwW)
"Is it just me, or are these figs crunchy?" -Obama
Posted by: AllenG (Dedicated Tenther) Channelling Breitbart at September 10, 2012 12:44 PM (8y9MW)
Posted by: cajun carrot at September 10, 2012 12:44 PM (UZQM8)
Everyone's always in favor of saving Hitler's brain but when you put it in the body of a great white shark, ooh, suddenly you've gone too far.
Posted by: Hubert F at September 10, 2012 12:44 PM (/kI1Q)
31Oh, we could make one that looks (and moves) like a goat. Send them into Taliban strongholds: reusable lures<<<<<
Pressure-sensitive fuse in the synthetic goat vagina. That could work.
Posted by: Empire of Jeff at September 10, 2012 12:44 PM (Bdaaw)
Posted by: Kyle Reese at September 10, 2012 12:45 PM (7vSU0)
Biomimicry is a super powerful way to find first solutions to problems that are often quite efficient. Nature is really good at finding the low-hanging fruit on the potential solution landscape which can get you most of the way there. Humans can engineer vastly superior solutions though as we can pump tons of energy into finding solutions that nature is energetically bound from trying.
For instance, early generation nanotechnology is big on biomimicing of what proteins, DNA and other such constructs do. Several labs nearby do what's called DNA origami where you take DNA that you encode with the right sequence that will fold in the way you want to form tiny structures that can do things.
Neat for now, but when we have the computation to model and design without relying on a DNA backbone, we'll be able to build vastly superior Eric Drexler type stuff.
The classic example is Hemoglobin being a neat solution that all biologists talk so highly of in their undergrad classes due to how evolution tweaked the O2 binding curve. Red Blood cells are great, until you realize for the same size we've made designs for something that can hold 500X the O2.
Posted by: Uriah Heep at September 10, 2012 12:46 PM (Wa+Fw)
Posted by: t-bird at September 10, 2012 12:46 PM (FcR7P)
Just don't plant them too deep.
Posted by: fluffy at September 10, 2012 12:46 PM (z9HTb)
Posted by: Guy Mohawk at September 10, 2012 12:47 PM (PHb2k)
Posted by: Buffalobob at September 10, 2012 12:47 PM (MkzY8)
Posted by: president o'bumbles at September 10, 2012 12:47 PM (vDl/w)
Posted by: t-bird at September 10, 2012 12:48 PM (FcR7P)
You can't put live Mules in a cargo container...for weeks.
And transporting them by air, is problematic, as well.
I would think that this is one of the reasons for trying to come up with a viable, all-terrain, robotic carrier. <<<<<
Not just that, but mules are dumb. You can give this thing the grid where you want it to go, and even which route to take and it will go there unassisted. Teach it to fight off camel-jockey rape and you've got a solid product.
Posted by: Empire of Jeff at September 10, 2012 12:48 PM (Bdaaw)
Posted by: ace at September 10, 2012 12:49 PM (fxHyG)
Nearly 40% of Generation Z, those ages 13 to 22, expect to receive an inheritance, according to a recent TD Ameritrade study. As a result, they don't believe that they will need to save for retirement.
"There is a little bit of the halo effect of youth vs. the reality of what the situation will be like," says Carrie Braxdale, managing director of investor services at TD Ameritrade. In fact, the odds are slim that young adults will inherit wealth because their parents face a less secure retirement world, with stock market turmoil and mounting health care costs.
Posted by: Charles Ponzi at September 10, 2012 12:49 PM (e8kgV)
Posted by: wheatie at September 10, 2012 04:43 PM (6OdwW)
Damned kids and their damned tipping...
Posted by: cajun carrot at September 10, 2012 04:44 PM (UZQM
-------------------------
In Okiehoma, we don't use the word "tipping". Instead we use the word "tumped". As in, "my damn car done tumped over up the highway a piece".
Posted by: Not and Artist at September 10, 2012 12:50 PM (uRumV)
Fuckin bullet magnet.
Posted by: Empire of Jeff at September 10, 2012 04:36 PM (Bdaaw)
I
My Nephew works on this project. Silent running is their biggest obsticle. Can't get long enough life out of Battery/Electric motors.
Posted by: Wisrich at September 10, 2012 12:51 PM (hdpay)
Posted by: Exile at September 10, 2012 12:51 PM (GGCsk)
Noisy ass 2 stroke nonsense to take steps smaller than a baby goat.
It's a complete and utter fuckhead waste of our money.
You can buy better jeeps by the bucket load.
They die when they get shot.
This thing will weigh a tank by the time it's bulletproof.
They can pull up lame.
It started lame and will break at the drop of a hat.
You have to feed them.
Can you say Gas and Oil.
Combat training an animal (like a horse, donkey, or mule) is difficult and time consuming.
HaHaha
Someone has to muck out the stables.
Not while on mission.
They need pretty constant re-shoeing.
Like those goofy feet won't?
They're not nearly as nifty.
That's it in a nutshell - toy money sink. It's a fine example of fire everybody involved ever as they obviously don't have the sense to pour piss out of a boot.
Afghans tend to bugger the real mules.
It's got a tail pipe too right?
Posted by: DaveA at September 10, 2012 12:51 PM (nKOL2)
What's wrong with just using actual mules?
They're cheap, etc.
Or a local with a basket on his head?
Who is paying for this in broke America?
Posted by: DaveA at September 10, 2012 04:33 PM (nKOL2)
Yes, let's use the locals when an American squad is out on patrol. After all, the Afghans are so trusty. If they are shooting us in the back on base, why wouldn't they just run off with our supplies when we are in the middle of nowhere?
shhh! quiet! ALLAHU AKBAR!!!
Besides all you need to feed a mechanical mule is food and power to replace what is used. You need to feed a real mule food and water every day whether it is used or not. And you need to excercise it regularly even if you are not leaving base. Not to mention getting rid of the fly-ridden, insect and disease attracting, waste.
Posted by: rd at September 10, 2012 12:52 PM (9sUlj)
Put a rabbit on a target for a real cheetah.
Or train a chimp to ride a mini-bike.
Posted by: DaveA at September 10, 2012 12:52 PM (nKOL2)
Given the areas I would think this would operate most effectively, I don't think silence or lack thereof is going to be that big an issue. It's not like the Taliban are tracking our troops by the noise they make, after all.
Posted by: AllenG (Dedicated Tenther) Channelling Breitbart at September 10, 2012 12:53 PM (8y9MW)
The new Paperwhite looks nice, and I like the lighting idea, but I really need more storage. The new one doesn't seem to have any more than my Kindle 2, whereas the Kindle 3 has double the space.
You say the interface is better. Do they finally have folders? Folders is what I have wanted for several years now, and so do many many other Kindle users.
Posted by: BeckoningChasm at September 10, 2012 12:53 PM (i0App)
Posted by: Lance phony prick Armstrong at September 10, 2012 12:53 PM (9TTOe)
>>I bet later models will go to an off-white or light cream color.
Perhaps an eggshell or even a light ecru?
Posted by: garrett at September 10, 2012 12:53 PM (4REjX)
Ever been tazed in the penis, smart guy?
Posted by: sentient robot cheetah at September 10, 2012 12:54 PM (z9HTb)
Posted by: cajun carrot at September 10, 2012 12:54 PM (UZQM8)
Posted by: ThePrimordialOrderedPair at September 10, 2012 12:55 PM (X3lox)
No? Not interested then.
Posted by: Luke Skywalker at September 10, 2012 12:55 PM (SY2Kh)
Posted by: cajun carrot at September 10, 2012 12:55 PM (UZQM8)
Posted by: AllenG (Dedicated Tenther) Channelling Breitbart
I haven't talked to him in a while. I'll have to get an update from him and see what direction they're taking for the power plant.
Posted by: Wisrich at September 10, 2012 12:56 PM (hdpay)
Posted by: ace at September 10, 2012 12:56 PM (fxHyG)
Posted by: Gristle Encased Head at September 10, 2012 12:56 PM (+lsX1)
Can they make a version that runs on PBnJ sammiches?
DARPA better conduct a study to find out if robots are considered haram because then they will have to scrap the whole project.
Posted by: GnuBreed at September 10, 2012 12:57 PM (ccXZP)
Posted by: ThePrimordialOrderedPair at September 10, 2012 12:57 PM (X3lox)
>>I'm not trying to be snarky but if artificial hemoglobin can hold 500x as much oxygen can I boost my stamina by adding it to my blood? In theory, I mean?
It's called Blood Doping and it has been all the rage since the late 70's.
Posted by: International Cyclist at September 10, 2012 12:57 PM (4REjX)
That was my idea. I was checking it out just a few days ago but we call them "hogs". The motorcycles too.
Posted by: joey biden at September 10, 2012 12:57 PM (vDl/w)
Posted by: ace at September 10, 2012 12:57 PM (fxHyG)
Posted by: Brian at September 10, 2012 12:57 PM (wTSvK)
Posted by: BackwardsBoy at September 10, 2012 12:58 PM (d0Tfm)
You can't run carrying heavy stuff.
Not just that, but mules are dumb.
So why not upsize breed dogs?
These things are a crook.
Posted by: DaveA at September 10, 2012 12:59 PM (nKOL2)
I know I'm a moron, but can someone tell me how to format a reply so that it doesn't run into the orginal post.
What in the Fluke am I missing?
Posted by: Wisrich at September 10, 2012 12:59 PM (hdpay)
Posted by: ace at September 10, 2012 01:00 PM (fxHyG)
Did we lose our Mule Technology at some point?
or are we preparing for a pack trip in zero oxygen enirons?
Posted by: garrett at September 10, 2012 01:00 PM (qZE0E)
Yes. If only there were some Portable Document Format that could be read by devices regardless of operating system and proprietary format. Though, some third party would have to create, maintain, and promote the format. Maybe we could start one and name it after a Southwestern building material.
/snark
Yes, I know that PDF is not the same as the ebook formats, but my Kindle will read a PDF just fine. It doesn't play quite as nicely with PDF as it does with its own format, but the basic interface (swipe to turn pages, etc) works just fine.
Posted by: AllenG (Dedicated Tenther) Channelling Breitbart at September 10, 2012 01:00 PM (8y9MW)
Posted by: Jim in Beam at September 10, 2012 01:01 PM (Dll6b)
I could tell you but then I'd have to kill you ⚛
Posted by: ThePrimordialOrderedPair at September 10, 2012 01:01 PM (X3lox)
Couldn't you accomplish almost the same thing the robot mule is supposed to do with ATVs? Plus, the driver would get a break from walking.
Posted by: angler at September 10, 2012 01:01 PM (SwjAj)
Real question here, ace: have you ever been around a mule?
Posted by: AllenG (Dedicated Tenther) Channelling Breitbart at September 10, 2012 01:01 PM (8y9MW)
Pressure-sensitive fuse in the synthetic goat vagina. That could work.
Nope. Automated loping shears.
Posted by: BackwardsBoy at September 10, 2012 01:01 PM (d0Tfm)
They're cheap, etc.
Or a local with a basket on his head?
HAH! I didnt even think of that.
Posted by: ace at September 10, 2012 04:35 PM (fxHyG)
-------------------------------------------
Plus, a real mule fuels itself from all the flora it's walking through. Also, they're easier to start on cold mornings.
Posted by: Soona at September 10, 2012 01:03 PM (tchi9)
Posted by: Hepcat at September 10, 2012 01:03 PM (frbyY)
It's pretty dainty. Plus it has what is obviously a fairly sophisticated computer on board. Fairly sophisticated computers don't react well to any kind of concussive force.<<<<<
Trust me, it'll all be solid state. When they make new toys, they give 'em to grunts to try and fuck up. Then they come back a couple of weeks later, you give them the pieces and say, "needs to be tougher."
Posted by: Empire of Jeff at September 10, 2012 01:03 PM (Bdaaw)
I mean sure it's awesome but...
Although they probably don't plan on using it just for lugging stuff. As someone mentioned, you could put a big ass gun on that thing and just use it as another troop.
Keep in mind, they're never gonna tell us what-all they have planned for these things, or show us exactly what they'll do.
Posted by: BackwardsBoy at September 10, 2012 01:04 PM (d0Tfm)
No. The Mule can get places an ATV can't go. Also, with the mule, you can give it a single destination, or a set of way-points, and it will just go there without a driver.
And, yes, it's far less bullet proof than, say, a tank, but far more bullet proof than, say, an actual mule.
Posted by: AllenG (Dedicated Tenther) Channelling Breitbart at September 10, 2012 01:04 PM (8y9MW)
Posted by: ThePrimordialOrderedPair at September 10, 2012 01:05 PM (X3lox)
Posted by: Captain Pritchard at September 10, 2012 01:05 PM (mZ8Y2)
I know I'm a moron, but can someone tell me how to format a reply so that it doesn't run into the orginal post.
Posted by: Wisrich at September 10, 2012 04:59 PM (hdpay)
Are you running IE 9? If you are, the first step is to turn on compatibility mode. And press enter twice between your paragraph breaks.
Posted by: buzzion at September 10, 2012 01:05 PM (GULKT)
I have a remote control monster truck that can go faster and on more complex terrain than either of those things. Scale it up and it could carry more gear for longer than those could too...
Very cool tech but a waste of tax dollars IMO...
Posted by: theBman at September 10, 2012 01:05 PM (/vN7m)
That's true, too.
Posted by: AllenG (Dedicated Tenther) Channelling Breitbart at September 10, 2012 01:06 PM (8y9MW)
Posted by: BeckoningChasm at September 10, 2012 04:53 PM (i0App)
This is why we have a thing called piracy.
Posted by: HoboJerky, now with 45% more DOOM! at September 10, 2012 01:06 PM (xAtAj)
Which wouldn't do anything. Cheetah's get their speed by compressing their spinal cord like a spring, which is why I think "Cheetah" is a really stupid name for the robot.
Posted by: JSchuler at September 10, 2012 01:07 PM (SmZQt)
Posted by: JSchuler at September 10, 2012 01:08 PM (SmZQt)
Posted by: Buzzsaw at September 10, 2012 01:08 PM (tf9Ne)
Posted by: Hepcat at September 10, 2012 01:08 PM (frbyY)
Posted by: Dr. Varno at September 10, 2012 01:08 PM (mZ8Y2)
Posted by: buzzion at September 10, 2012 05:05 PM (GULKT)
Bingo! Thanks for the assist.
Posted by: Wisrich at September 10, 2012 01:09 PM (hdpay)
Posted by: Dang at September 10, 2012 01:09 PM (R18D0)
Posted by: i am mad as hell and i am not going to take it anymore at September 10, 2012 01:10 PM (cgxNI)
When I figure out how to use a street atlas, you're in big trouble.
Posted by: thin-skinned sentient robot cheetah at September 10, 2012 01:10 PM (z9HTb)
It's like reinventing the wheel here.
Posted by: GnuBreed at September 10, 2012 01:10 PM (ccXZP)
Meh, it's neat but I'd much rather they put the effort into lighter body armor and personal equipment. Also small aerial drones capable of delivering a platoon's worth of food and ammo or equipment.
Posted by: Alex at September 10, 2012 01:10 PM (3x3F6)
If women were any good at science, we'd have self-sucking penises by now.
Instead, they're showing off they're hairy pits at the Slut Walk. This is how Wars on Women start.
Posted by: Empire of Jeff at September 10, 2012 01:11 PM (Bdaaw)
Strangely enough, they're working on that, too. Well, at least the "lighter body armor." There have been great strides in "non-newtonian fluid" (I think that's the right term) armor over the last couple of years.
Posted by: AllenG (Dedicated Tenther) Channelling Breitbart at September 10, 2012 01:12 PM (8y9MW)
Here's one that has a payload of 500lbs.
http://www.robotshop.com/zomby-remote-controlled-tracked-platform.html
Posted by: Buzzsaw at September 10, 2012 01:12 PM (tf9Ne)
There are still mountainous areas that humans and mules can reach that ATVs cannot. We actually do use ATVs in certain areas where we can't get larger vehicles.
Posted by: Alex at September 10, 2012 01:12 PM (3x3F6)
Posted by: Captain Pritchard at September 10, 2012 05:05 PM (mZ8Y2)
And don't look in Trantor for the Second Foundation!
Posted by: joncelli, heartless Con and all around unpleasant guy at September 10, 2012 01:13 PM (RD7QR)
Posted by: GnuBreed at September 10, 2012 01:13 PM (ccXZP)
Posted by: Lance phony prick Armstrong at September 10, 2012 01:13 PM (9TTOe)
Posted by: Mark XX Bolo LON-2317 at September 10, 2012 01:13 PM (vDl/w)
I guess I'll ask the should be obvious question here -- why not just use ATVs? They are cheap, just as noisy, the troops can ride on them too, and it wouldn't be that tough to retrofit them to have a follow mode if that is so desirable.
It's like reinventing the wheel here.
Think seats.
Posted by: BackwardsBoy at September 10, 2012 01:13 PM (d0Tfm)
Posted by: Oldsailors Poet, Wonders what Dagny thinks at September 10, 2012 01:14 PM (9TTOe)
Posted by: Dr. Varno at September 10, 2012 01:14 PM (mZ8Y2)
No, we didn't. You're probably the fifth or sixth idiot troll who's wandered in today. Tell OfA we don't think they're hiring high enough quality trolls. With 14.7% U6, you'd think they'd have a positive plethora of qualified candidates.
Posted by: AllenG (Dedicated Tenther) Channelling Breitbart at September 10, 2012 01:15 PM (8y9MW)
You just made the list, Pal.
Posted by: Francis the sentient robot cheetah at September 10, 2012 01:15 PM (z9HTb)
You can't sneak up on anyone because ATVs make you yell shit like, "Woohoo!", "Fuck yeah!", "Shit - you okay?".
Posted by: Dang at September 10, 2012 01:15 PM (R18D0)
Posted by: Oldsailors Poet, Wonders what Dagny thinks at September 10, 2012 01:16 PM (9TTOe)
Posted by: Soona at September 10, 2012 01:16 PM (tchi9)
"Watch this!"
Posted by: AllenG (Dedicated Tenther) Channelling Breitbart at September 10, 2012 01:16 PM (8y9MW)
Posted by: Mark XX Bolo LON-2317 at September 10, 2012 01:17 PM (vDl/w)
COBOL was developed by a committee.
Posted by: Bart who lurks at September 10, 2012 01:17 PM (he2LC)
Because ATVs are not at all like people. These walking robots have legs - which humanoid robots will have. Walking robots are a necessary precursor to effective sex robots. THAT is why they aren't just making super-ATVs. I bet $50 that there is some horny Japanese dude at DARPA trying to have sex with that robot this very second.
Posted by: wooga at September 10, 2012 01:17 PM (vjyZP)
Moron check.
Posted by: weft cut-loop [/i] [/b] at September 10, 2012 01:17 PM (NRwWP)
Strangely enough, they're working on that, too. Well, at least the "lighter body armor." There have been great strides in "non-newtonian fluid" (I think that's the right term) armor over the last couple of years.
I know that they're working on it. My comment was an observation that I think lighter armor and equipment will be much more beneficial. Get rid of twenty pounds of gear weight from each soldier and allow them to carry more ammo or move quicker over terrain. Also, we need to be better about delivering supplies to soldiers so that they don't have to pack that crap into combat with them.
Yes, the non-newtonian fluid stuff is interesting. It wouldn't surprise me if future armor looks like a fine mesh over gel packs.
Posted by: Alex at September 10, 2012 01:18 PM (3x3F6)
Posted by: Dr. Varno at September 10, 2012 01:18 PM (mZ8Y2)
Posted by: Empire of Jeff at September 10, 2012 01:18 PM (Bdaaw)
We have. It's called EPUB. Everybody except Amazon uses it and most items sold for the Kindle are converted from EPUB files because the tools for working with Amazon's MOBI format vary from awful to non-existent. There is simply no equivalent to Sigil for MOBI.
Posted by: epobirs at September 10, 2012 01:18 PM (kcfmt)
Oh shit, I hope Obama isn't reading this...
Posted by: Hollowpoint at September 10, 2012 01:19 PM (SY2Kh)
Attack drone cheetahs. It's coming.
Think "Hunger Games".
Of course.... 15 years from now.... after Barrack declares National Emergency and elects himself emperor...... he'll just give em to the EPA and the TSA and we'll all be Teledyne Scoobie Snacks.
Posted by: fixerupper at September 10, 2012 01:20 PM (C8hzL)
The fastest human footspeed on record is 44.72 km/h (27.79 mph), seen during a 100 metres sprint (average speed between the 60th and the 80th meter) by Usain Bolt. You may continue.
Posted by: Soledad O'Brien's Earpiece at September 10, 2012 01:20 PM (ZPuY0)
You can't sneak up on anyone because ATVs make you yell shit like, "Woohoo!", "Fuck yeah!", "Shit - you okay?".
I was actually quoting a post above and answering it: there are places where mules and humans can go that an ATV cannot.
Posted by: Alex at September 10, 2012 01:20 PM (3x3F6)
I bet $50 that there is some horny Japanese dude at DARPA trying to have sex with that robot this very second.
The Mule's been around for a couple of years. The Cheetah is new.
Coincidence? I think not.
Posted by: BackwardsBoy at September 10, 2012 01:20 PM (d0Tfm)
Posted by: General Zod at September 10, 2012 01:20 PM (2+bRt)
Posted by: Paul Lazzaro Sentient Robot Cheetah at September 10, 2012 01:21 PM (vDl/w)
Wrong Dave.
Somethings really need Proxmired.
As to why, I can guess just by the name Boston Dynamics. That's got to be a blue-model Iron Triangle research pit.
Big wheels will go over big rocks.
Why not take the JDAM kit and retrofit it to a para-drop container. They're even fitting glide wings on the dang things now to increase range.
Posted by: DaveA at September 10, 2012 01:23 PM (nKOL2)
Either that, or maybe some pockets.
Posted by: Dang at September 10, 2012 01:26 PM (R18D0)
Put some awesomely severe jaws and teeth on that cheetah, and we could really fuck with the muzzies. Give it a loud voice that says in arabic, "yes, mahmoud, I'm going to take a big bite out of your ass now".
Posted by: Soona at September 10, 2012 01:28 PM (tchi9)
I could really use that multimillion dollar robot mule for carrying some shit around while I'm out walkin'.
Either that, or maybe some pockets.
The reason for the mule is that soldiers are heavily weighed down by shit that they have to carry on patrol and this impacts mobility and combat effectiveness. Food, water, cold weather gear and spare ammunition could be carried on the mule and kept in the rear of the formation allowing the troops to worry about what is essential for the first few minutes of combat.
Posted by: Alex at September 10, 2012 01:29 PM (3x3F6)
High-end features are all well and good but for the vast majority of people it comes down to how much will it hurt if I break or lose it? Can I trust my kid with this? Is it worth while I I'm not a big reader but only consume maybe a novel every month or so?
$50 is the magic number for sales to explode. Eventually, these things should get cheap enough to be given away with a set of books. Buy the whole Honor Harrington set and get a basic e-reader to view them on.
Posted by: epobirs at September 10, 2012 01:31 PM (kcfmt)
The reason for the mule is that soldiers are heavily weighed down by shit that they have to carry on patrol and this impacts mobility and combat effectiveness. Food, water, coldweather gear andspare ammunition could be carried on the mule and kept in the rear of the formation allowing the troops to worry about what is essential for the first few minutes of combat. Posted by: Alex
The reason for my post was... comedy. *wink*
Posted by: Dang at September 10, 2012 01:31 PM (R18D0)
Ever hear of a thing called DARPA-NET?
You wouldn't be on this blog without it.
Posted by: Bart who lurks at September 10, 2012 01:31 PM (he2LC)
Posted by: teej at September 10, 2012 01:33 PM (85x54)
RoboMule won't get pissy because it's got a toothache / leg cramp and bite you as a result of the foul mood.
RoboMule can carry it's own spares.
RoboMule won't leave periodic scat "breadcrumbs" for a tracker to follow and determine how long ago you passed by.
RoboMule could eventually be operated as a drone in the presence of biological agents without ill effects.
RoboMule will not mind being dropped out the back of a C-130 on a pallet, and stand a chance of surviving a less-than-ideal landing.
Posted by: reason at September 10, 2012 01:34 PM (V40IZ)
Posted by: Flatbush Joe at September 10, 2012 01:39 PM (ZPrif)
RoboMule can carry it's own spares.
RoboMule won't leave periodic scat "breadcrumbs" for a tracker to follow and determine how long ago you passed by.
RoboMule could eventually be operated as a drone in the presence of biological agents without ill effects.
RoboMule will not mind being dropped out the back of a C-130 on a pallet, and stand a chance of surviving a less-than-ideal landing. Posted by: reason
Really? Really?!?
Posted by: RoboMule at September 10, 2012 01:40 PM (R18D0)
Posted by: Flatbush Joe
*Ahem.*
Posted by: RoboVagina at September 10, 2012 01:43 PM (R18D0)
"The Mule has come a long way since the first Beta model.
Posted by: IllTemperedCur at September 10, 2012 05:29 PM (TIIx5) "
That is truely incredible! I changed my mind. Completely worth the money!
Posted by: theBman at September 10, 2012 01:44 PM (/vN7m)
"I have a remote control monster truck that can go faster and on more complex terrain than either of those things. Scale it up and it could carry more gear for longer than those could too... "
Hi, have we met?
Posted by: actual, military Humvees at September 10, 2012 01:44 PM (V40IZ)
143 Speaking of tech news, Godaddy was hit by a giant DOS attack this afternoon.
--------------
Should've stuck with CP/M.
Posted by: Anachronda at September 10, 2012 01:44 PM (NmR1a)
The reason for my post was... comedy. *wink*
Meh, I'm not in a good mood. The inspector looked at the house on Saturday and recommended a structural engineer look at the place. Apparently the previous owners renovated to include stuccoing over the entire foundation, and there is no crawlspace access, which means that we can't tell if there are any major problems with the structure that they are hiding. Furthermore my agent is trying to push this along and it's pissing me off.
Posted by: Alex at September 10, 2012 01:45 PM (3x3F6)
Yes, but you can resolve it this way:
a) buy an Android-enabled tablet, like the Google Nexus
b) download FREE Kindle app for Android
b) download FREE Nook app for Android
That should take care of things. Oh, and if , for example, you need to read some pdf docs that (a) and (b) can't read, then:
c) download FREE pdf reader app for Android from Adobe
...and you're good to go.
Posted by: OregonMuse at September 10, 2012 01:46 PM (xm1A1)
"A big breakthrough will be when the robots can refuel in the field. In other words ... eat."
WHOA.
Posted by: WALL-E at September 10, 2012 01:46 PM (V40IZ)
154 What a waste. Expensive, heavy, not remote. What's the purpose for this DARPA kludge?
--------
R stands for Research.
Posted by: M stands for Mobile at September 10, 2012 01:46 PM (NmR1a)
Bombardier could build you a bunch of tracked carts for the $.
It's blue state research payola.
Posted by: DaveA at September 10, 2012 01:47 PM (nKOL2)
Posted by: RoboMule at September 10, 2012 05:40 PM (R18D0)
Yeah. Or, at least until you and all your other RoboMules organize and start staging RoboWalk protest rallies.
Posted by: reason at September 10, 2012 01:47 PM (V40IZ)
Posted by: steevy at September 10, 2012 01:48 PM (6o4Fb)
That sucks. Sorry. Hope it works out. Can you cut a trapdoor hole through a closet floor or something?
Posted by: Dang at September 10, 2012 01:49 PM (R18D0)
Posted by: Flatbush Joe at September 10, 2012 01:49 PM (ZPrif)
Posted by: Jean at September 10, 2012 01:49 PM (a9Izx)
Beam energy from an overhead plane?
Posted by: Tesla popping a boner at September 10, 2012 01:51 PM (R18D0)
What animal runs 28 mph? That's what they shoulda named it.
Posted by: Dr. Varno at September 10, 2012 05:14 PM (mZ8Y2)
"Liberal congressman heading for a camera" is a stupid name for a battle robot.
Posted by: Oldcat at September 10, 2012 01:53 PM (z1N6a)
That sucks. Sorry. Hope it works out. Can you cut a trapdoor hole through a closet floor or something?
The crawlspace is only 12" deep, which means any repair work to the foundation will require tearing up the floor.
Posted by: Alex at September 10, 2012 01:55 PM (3x3F6)
They'll eventually invent something faster, and then what'll they call it?
I'm just spitballin' here, but based on the way these things tend to go...
CHEETAH II.
Posted by: reason at September 10, 2012 01:57 PM (V40IZ)
Posted by: M1A2 Abrams... You know, the ones that are just the right size for mountain recon. at September 10, 2012 01:58 PM (/vN7m)
Posted by: Jean at September 10, 2012 01:59 PM (JjNG+)
Posted by: Flatbush Joe at September 10, 2012 02:03 PM (ZPrif)
Posted by: Jimmy-Joe at September 10, 2012 02:03 PM (okvIY)
Beam energy from an overhead plane?
That would be the cancelled laser?
Or anything that spread a useful amount of power could just focus it and zap whatever needed zapping.
Posted by: DaveA at September 10, 2012 02:04 PM (nKOL2)
Having read the article, it would seem that no drones would be allowed to make lethal strikes on their own, but their "ethical" programming could allow the drone to countermand a kill order.
Posted by: Rusty Nail at September 10, 2012 02:07 PM (QxGmu)
Posted by: Flatbush Joe at September 10, 2012 02:15 PM (ZPrif)
Posted by: waelse1 at September 10, 2012 02:30 PM (UtwlP)
Absolutely.
The original idea is from the early 1990s and the guys out of Foresight started pushing this blood cell idea - the Respirocyte. Original more technical medical nonotechnology paper (http://tinyurl.com/8tjl8u6)
Ray Kurzweil has hijacked the idea and likes to use the pretty dramatic image of sitting on the bottom of a pool for 4 hours respirating off the oxygen and carbon sinking the waste products into these devices that are in your bloodstream. Or doing an Olympic sprint, etc.
He explains it generally here: http://bigthink.com/ideas/14657
How is that snarky? Snarky is me asking where the post is on Obama not attending half his daily security briefings
Posted by: Uriah Heep at September 10, 2012 02:45 PM (Wa+Fw)
Some kids I know at MIT are helping out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duXFIKswTOM
Posted by: pj at September 10, 2012 03:39 PM (DQHjw)
Posted by: Thorvald at September 10, 2012 04:50 PM (1V6Pv)
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Extra 60 bucks and shorter battery life by a simple semi-android tablet.
Posted by: sven10077 at September 10, 2012 12:29 PM (LRFds)