Monthly Archives: October 2014

Son of Big Dog: Alpha Dog/LS3 (part 1)

One evolutionary branch of the Big Dog family is Alpha Dog, which eventually becomes LS3 (AKA Legged Squad Support System).  Here we start to see the transition from a very rough research prototype to a more polished prototype that is capable of participating in field trials with end users.

First we start in the lab, with a video of Alpha Dog being put through its paces.  One subtle but informative aspect of this video is the safety features associated with the test area: caution tape to warn humans that they are entering a potentially dangerous area, flashing lights on the robot to indicate that it is in operation and may move unexpectedly, and a heavy gantry to prevent the robot from falling over or exiting the test area in the event of a severe malfunction.  Other interesting points to note here are (obviously) the robot’s ability to traverse rough terrain, its impressive “standing up” behavior, and the looting of the Boston Dynamics fitness center (presumably not just to simulate the added weight of a payload but also to adjust the center of mass to correct for asymmetry in the weight distribution of drive components):

Move over Big Dog, here’s Little Dog

After a brief hiatus dealing with router issues we’re back with a new post.

We’ve seen a few videos of Big Dog and now it’s time to meet the rest of the family.  This video shows Little Dog being put through his paces climbing over rough terrain.  I’m fairly old school, and for some reason this video reminds me of stop motion special effects that were used in movies back in the day.  Little Dog also looks (and moves) kind of like a big beetle.  Don’t take my word for it, check out the video:

Bring on the cheap Chinese Big Dog knockoffs…

Perhaps not unexpectedly, there is now a cheap-looking Chinese copy of Big Dog.  From the extra bars on the side, the lack of any exerpts of complicated recovery from a near fall, and the fact that all kicks and pushes are delivered gingerly, I deduce that the stability is not yet nearly as good as for the original.  They do show someone briefly riding, which is kinda cool.

Check it out:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HX_4K__8LXk

Introduction to Big Dog

If you are interested in robots, you’ve probably heard about Big Dog.  I’m planning to dig up all of the videos related to this fascinating machine, its predecessors and progeny.  This video is a great place to start because it shows a fairly advanced prototype with annoying characteristics (i.e. that awful buzzing motor noise that makes you feel like you’re living too close to a motocross track), but also displays characteristics that are more stunningly lifelike than all of those bipedal machines and animatronics that are continually produced.  Particularly interesting is the part where it slips on the ice and manages to correct its posture; this is so organic that it feels more like a pratfall from a comedy than a robot demonstration.

Anyway, enough words, here’s the video:

 

Troubled child

Here’s a good one to start us off.  All I have to say about this is: these guys have gotta have some big balls to convert a 1986 Jeep Grand Wagoneer into an autonomous robot and enter it into a competition where it could potentially run amok!  Very impressive.

Here’s the main video, shot from inside the “robot”:

…and here’s some footage shot by a spectator:

…and just for giggles, here’s the recap video for the entire competition:

 

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