Robotic Equines Vastly Improved

[Blackmarch]

Actually, I find this type of machine far less threatening than an AI android. It remains servile and has the psychological advantage of mimicking a pet. Not sure what its carrying capability is at present however. Those legs do seem a bit on the flimsy side. In fact, perhaps enhancing its carrying capabilities will prove just as daunting as the effort to get it to keep its balance initially was. Can't imagine it as anywhere near being able to provide a rodeo experience or challenge. More of perhaps a fun ride at an amusement park for young children. But who knows where this innovation might be in 100 years or so.


BTW
A real pity that such inventions are often more motivated by the desire to gain some military advantage in order to enhance out ability to kill. But at least the fringe benefits from such motives will trickle down to society and assume a more benevolent aspect from what was initially intended.

Actually more often invention is intially sought for the sake of exploring or helping with more civilian life.... Its just that in todays age technology has often shown great promise in military circles, therefore those in military circles are constantly looking for things that can give them an advantage, and so inventions get brought to the military umbrella really quickly.


Me i just want a fully functional AT-AT or barring that, a timberwolf omnimech. ^.^

 

[Radrook]

The technology is fairly new and probably still experimental. It will get better eventually.

When I built my own legged walker back in 2002, it could not climb steps at first. It took me a week to figure out a solution. Then another week to reduce the weight which significantly increased its speed.

Things take some time to evolve, to improve. In this case, maybe a year or so, we might see some significant progress.

The video didn't explain what power source they were using. Do you know?

 

[Radrook]

Actually more often invention is intially sought for the sake of exploring or helping with more civilian life.... Its just that in todays age technology has often shown great promise in military circles, therefore those in military circles are constantly looking for things that can give them an advantage, and so inventions get brought to the military umbrella really quickly.


Me i just want a fully functional AT-AT or barring that, a timberwolf omnimech. ^.^

True, I should have been careful and used the noncommittal "sometimes" and not "most often" which implies that I have the statistical data to support that claim which I don't. But I agree, that most research falls into the non-military sphere and catches the eye of the military which is very attentive to take advantage of any innovation.

 

[timewerx]

The video didn't explain what power source they were using. Do you know?

I've often heard them (in youtube videos) sounding like a lawnmower.

Most likely a two-stroke air-cooled petrol or nitro engine. Is actually a pretty good choice for a power pack due to high power-to-weight ratio and much higher energy density of petrol over a battery. I would have used the same power pack myself for such projects being lightweight and decent power output.

I guess in combat situations, they have figure how to muffle the noise of the engine or use a hybrid gas-electric power pack and use only electric mode indoors or in dangerous situations.

 

[Radrook]

I've often heard them (in youtube videos) sounding like a lawnmower.

Most likely a two-stroke air-cooled petrol or nitro engine. Is actually a pretty good choice for a power pack due to high power-to-weight ratio and much higher energy density of petrol over a battery. I would have used the same power pack myself for such projects being lightweight and decent power output.

I guess in combat situations, they have figure how to muffle the noise of the engine or use a hybrid gas-electric power pack and use only electric mode indoors or in dangerous situations.

Adding a wheel deployment capability would add to the weight but would greatly increase versatility. After all, terrain varies in those situations and if the machine can't keep up with the soldier then he and his equipment could very easily become separated. That could mean the difference between life and death. Just a thought that keeps cropping up when I see the short steps that they are taking in those practice combat situations.

 

[timewerx]

Adding a wheel deployment capability would add to the weight but would greatly increase versatility. After all, terrain varies in those situations and if the machine can't keep up with the soldier then he and his equipment could very easily become separated. That could mean the difference between life and death. Just a thought that keeps cropping up when I see the short steps that they are taking in those practice combat situations.

That idea already came up several years ago. A hybrid leg with wheels on tips or a caterpillar track that can transform to different shapes or even function as a walker.

It was considered for planetary rovers.

Apparently, it was not considered in recent developments. Perhaps, the added complexity is not worth it.

If speed is a concern, I don't think it will be a problem for long. It's just a matter of finding a better way to do it, faster/better software, faster/stronger servos or hydraulics/pneumatics.

 

[Radrook]

That idea already came up several years ago. A hybrid leg with wheels on tips or a caterpillar track that can transform to different shapes or even function as a walker.

It was considered for planetary rovers.

Apparently, it was not considered in recent developments. Perhaps, the added complexity is not worth it.

If speed is a concern, I don't think it will be a problem for long. It's just a matter of finding a better way to do it, faster/better software, faster/stronger servos or hydraulics/pneumatics.

I notice that the legs don't conform exactly to how legs look on horses. The gallop is a bit stiff and lacks the flowing grace evident in animals. Do you think that such an obvious idiosyncrasy will be easily overcome in order to give the machine a more realistic look? Or is there something inherently difficult in achieving an exact replication of how a mammals gallop in such a machine?

 

[timewerx]

I notice that the legs don't conform exactly to how legs look on horses. The gallop is a bit stiff and lacks the flowing grace evident in animals. Do you think that such an obvious idiosyncrasy will be easily overcome in order to give the machine a more realistic look? Or is there something inherently difficult in achieving an exact replication of how a mammals gallop in such a machine?

I think because the "torso" of the machine is frozen solid. In animals, the torso undulates with the movement.

If we do the same thing to a machine, it would dramatically increase the moving parts and servos required. Might not be worth the extra parts since they are making "specialist machines" anyway.

Animals including us are required by nature to be as flexible and versatile as possible. This is why we have incredible number of bones, muscles, and flexibility. We don't just need to run, we also need to reach for our toenails, scratch our backs, roll into ball for other things...

And since we all have those extra bones and muscles, why not also use it to enhance movement? This is how *incredibly* well designed we are.

But these machines only need to run over difficult terrain and carry stuff, and a few other things, very limited and highly specialized jobs, just a few moving parts would do!

 

[Radrook]

I think because the "torso" of the machine is frozen solid. In animals, the torso undulates with the movement.

If we do the same thing to a machine, it would dramatically increase the moving parts and servos required. Might not be worth the extra parts since they are making "specialist machines" anyway.

Animals including us are required by nature to be as flexible and versatile as possible. This is why we have incredible number of bones, muscles, and flexibility. We don't just need to run, we also need to reach for our toenails, scratch our backs, roll into ball for other things...

And since we all have those extra bones and muscles, why not also use it to enhance movement? This is how *incredibly* well designed we are.

But these machines only need to run over difficult terrain and carry stuff, and a few other things, very limited and highly specialized jobs, just a few moving parts would do!

So for economy's sake they leave it looking rigid. I guess I am thinking about machines like the one shown in the Sfi fi film Red Planet where this Robot malfunctions. Notice how flexible and graceful its movements are?

 

[timewerx]

So for economy's sake they leave it looking rigid. I guess I am thinking about machines like the one shown in the Sfi fi film Red Planet where this Robot malfunctions. Notice how flexible and graceful its movements are?

It looks good but the complexity is probably not worth the effort and cost in a specialist machine.

You also have to note, that added complexity could either mean a less reliable machine or if you try to maintain reliability, a high cost machine.

Also don't forget the Research & Development program. A much more complex machine could dramatically increase the costs of R&D and even increase development time. Even if money is not a problem, a more complex approach could still end up prohibitive in realizing future goals. Time is also a highly valuable resource to consider not just money.

 

[Radrook]

It looks good but the complexity is probably not worth the effort and cost in a specialist machine.

You also have to note, that added complexity could either mean a less reliable machine or if you try to maintain reliability, a high cost machine.

Also don't forget the Research & Development program. A much more complex machine could dramatically increase the costs of R&D and even increase development time. Even if money is not a problem, a more complex approach could still end up prohibitive in realizing future goals. Time is also a highly valuable resource to consider not just money.

Well, I guess we will have to be stuck with those awkward looking, rigid models for a long time then. Goes to show how easily science fiction can add all kinds of unfeasible ideas into a story with nary a care in the world while the real life situation finds it prohibitive.