"BigDog" Learns A New Trick

US robotics manufacturer Boston Dynamics has taken its now famous robotic quadruped "BigDog" to a new level of sophistication. With funding from the US Defense Department, BigDog has been given the ability to fling heavy objects long distances with a toss of its robotic head. Rob Muir reports.

Published

4 months ago

Categories

Technology

Topics

Technology

Companies

Boston Dynamics Inc.

Tags

bigdog, robot

Transcript

BigDog has learned a new trick. Like a real canine he can take an object between his jaws and remove it from his path. The only difference is that in this cae, the object is a concrete block BigDog's developer, Boston Dynamics calls BigDog the alpha male of its robot stable. The've given him the ability to utilise the dynamic forces of his entire metallic body to throw objects over his shoulder, just as a real dog might. BigDog first came to public attention in 2008. He's being designed as a metallic packmule for soldiers in the field. He can walk, run, climb and carry heavy loads for miles without stopping. An internal computer controls gyros and sensors to keep it upright in difficult terrain. And now, he can deal with almost anything that gets in his way