[Tyler]

Boston Dynamics is Back with a Biped
     



Boston Dynamics, best known
for the quadruped robots BigDog and Little
Dog, have now developed a dynamically balancing bipedal robot that uses
a toe-to-heel walking method very similar to a human. The robot, called
PETMAN,
can be seen in the YouTube video
above going through tests on a treadmill. The eventual goal is an
anthropomorphic robot that will be used in testing chemical protection
clothing for the US Army. In addition to walking, the robot will be able
to crawl like a human as well simulate human physiology including body
temperature, humidity, and sweating to test the protective clothing
under life-like conditions. Props to Robodave for the tip.
   

http://robots.net/article/2939.html
     

[Bragi]

Very cool. I suspect something like this has far wider implementations than just testing clothes

[Freddy]

Yes agreed - these guys seem to be one of the best robot makers - Big Dog is one of my fave robots so far - especially the way it controls it's balance.

[ALADYBLOND]

when i saw the guy push him and he regained his stance i was really hooked. ~alady

[Freddy]

Yeah that was cool 

[Art]

I agree about the far reaching implications. They really seem to be taking the forefront of bi-pedal robotics.
One can only wonder whether their AI is equally on the mark!

[Bragi]

I suspect they are using some sort of very simple 'bug like' AI, maybe even no AI at all, just a simple reaction to the touch of the foot, a balance control and some preprogrammed moves.

[Freddy]

You make it sound so easy Bragi

[Bragi]

If only it was

[Art]

I was sort of looking ahead and adding a bit of fantasy to the end where the company develops a humanoid, bi-pedal android...basically a walking, ever-so-mobile robot with protective skin-like covering, eventually so lifelike it would be difficult to discern whether human or not. You know...THAT AI!!  LOL!!