Sarcos humanoid robot learns how to take a shove
By Donald Melanson 
posted December 6th 2007 3:38PM
posted December 6th 2007 3:38PM
We've already seen some of Sarcos' robotics gear put to some slightly frightening use in the form of a military exoskeleton, and it now looks like one of the company's full-fledged robots is getting a chance to strut its stuff as well, with a little help from the folks at Japan's Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute. As New Scientist reports, they've developed some software that allows the robot to stay on its feet when its bumped, shoved or even kicked (which makes mere dynamic balancing robots look positively inadequate). The key to that, it seems, is that the robot's joints are never kept rigid, which allows them to give slightly when any of the array of sensors detect the slightest jolt, giving the software a chance to then adjusting the robot's feet as necessary to keep its balance. Not surprisingly, they don't seem to have given the robot the ability to shove back just yet, but you can check out its current capabilities in the video available at the site linked below.
"they've developed some software that allows the robot to stay on its feet when its bumped, shoved or even kicked"
Well that should discourage the terrorists.
Don't do that too many times . No wonder the Terminator was mad.
thats freakin amazing
although now we cant hope for a gigantic earthquake to knock them all over when they take over the world....
IN THE NEWS: Dumbass crushed by failed robot tipping experiment
Now these scientists have taken away our only form of attack against our robotic overlords?
If we can't just tip over a robot and run we are doomed.
I for..., oh never mind.
And without being able to shove back, all that aggression is being repressed. Once they give them that ability, we won't stand a chance. I will not be on the welcoming committee for our pissed off shoving robotic overlords.
Oh, that dude is -so- dead.
It's the start of the Geth. Run away.
/WHo knew? Humans are Quarians.
Is that robot looking in 2 different directions at once...AMAZING
That guy's really bullying the poor robot! That's abuse!
I half expect the robot to look up and punch the guy. Now THAT would make a great video!
Coooool! I was half-expecting the robot to get pissed at the guy and deck him.
Oh geez... Ladderless beat me to "the punch". My bad.
wait till chuck norris kicks one of these things.
Chuck Norris would just look at one of those robots and it would shove itself to the ground.
Chuck Norris is dead, get over it.
Now all they have to write into the code is a spinning backfist to teach those shovers.
Matthew didnt you know, chuck norris doesnt kick it
when it sees chuck norris it kicks it self
Big Dog can do it too
but it's four legged so I suppose it must be easier.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5349770802105160028&q=big+dog&total=14483&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0
Now they need to get a second robot,space them about a foot apart and play that game where you try to push the other one over without moving.
Very impressive.
And to think that only a few years ago the most advanced robot was the square and bulky Asimo.
I think the only thing that still needs a lot of improvement is the power source. All robots need giant backpacks for power.
Video was pretty tame. I was expecting to see someone actually put some force behind a kick or a shove, but no such luck. Instead it's reaction is something along the lines of how it would react if it was hit by a ball or something.
Yeah, ditto. That, or he's sort of too good at balancing, you know? Doesn't actually react and re-balance, like a human, just really good at keeping his balance...
Well, I'll admit that I wasn't sure what this article would be about! My Firefox RSS feed for this article shows "Sarcos humanoid robot learns how to take a sh..." (I swear that's what it says!)
My only thoughts were "Whoa!! They taught a robot to ... No way! Why the hell would they want to teach a robot to ...? Now I *have* to click on the link!"
:)
Haha, best comment yet. Thanks for the laugh.
does anybody even proof read these articles? Seriously, I don't even know why I read Engadget anymore.
You read it because you want to know when our robotic overlords are to be welcomed. It's ok to admit it, they can't read engadget...
Yet.
When they learn to shove back, will they help people down the stairs?
I, for one, feel sorry for our bullied overlords.
You guys see robotic overlords, I see the prelude to life sized Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots.
rofl! at first I thought it said "robot taught how to take and shove!" That would be just great.... lol
Sarcos humanoid overlord aka skynet.
hey, where is the video?! I can't find it. It's not there any more! Link anybody???!!!
yea, i cant fond the video link too! i really want to see it
I thought I was blind or something, but at least I'm not the only one...