Men vs Culture: Big Dog: Advanced Robotic Quadruped

Mar 30, 2008

Big Dog: Advanced Robotic Quadruped

Robotic research company Boston Dynamics has built a prototype for a robotic pac-mule that may be used by the military to help lighten the load that soldiers must carry into battle.

Freaking crazy.

10 sucka ass fools had something to say:

Moon Trampsaid...: Wow, that thing has better balance then most people, the way it caught itself on the ice was awesome.

My one question, why the hell wouldn't you give it a head? Way easier to bond with something that has a head.; March 31, 2008 8:26 AM
Lankowniasaid...: That thing moves like a real animal which makes me think it is. Then I feel sad that it has no head and is subjected to being walked around blind, kicked, and forced to navigate slippery surfaces. It seems to panic when it falls, like anything else. I almost teared up before forcing myself to remember that its a robot. I think they should make it less life-like. Poor innocent mechanical great dane...; March 31, 2008 9:01 AM
Jay Gee Whizsaid...: If you feel this way about it now, imagine if it had a head? If it gets "destroyed" on the battlefield, they don't want it's human companions to break down in a sniveling heap. It's best if it doesn't have a head.; March 31, 2008 9:44 AM
Moon Trampsaid...: That's true, it kind of reminds me of the way Zig-zag prances.

I still think it should have a head. Maybe I've read too much sci-fi, but I want to be able to have friendships with my robots.

Here's the thing, it each of those robots probably cost 100s of millions of dollars. Anything that costs that much damn well better be my friend! I don't won't my tax dollars going to yet another soulless military contraption.

Plus, if you were a soldier, wouldn't you want as many friends around you as possible?; March 31, 2008 10:20 AM
Space Zombiesaid...: Maybe we need a MvC contest: who can design the best robot head for BigDog?; March 31, 2008 11:32 AM
Lankowniasaid...: Don't you fuckers listen? Are you trying to make me cry?

No head on the robot!

I don't want my tax-dollars being spent just so Moon Tramp can feel like he has more friends. Besides, everyone knows the soul isn't located in the head.; March 31, 2008 11:38 AM
Lankowniasaid...: My tax dollars already pay to keep Moon Tramp's property taxes artificially low. Urban renewal my ass. Moon Tramp gets enough.; March 31, 2008 11:49 AM
Moon Trampsaid...: Your property taxes are higher then mine because you bought a house that was worth more money in 1992 then mine was, which is your own fault. All property taxes in Oregon are artificially lower then they should be, except for perhaps new built houses, so it's not you who is paying for my low property taxes, it's the schools who are paying.

Stupid schools, don't deserve any money!

And maybe I am trying to make you cry. It's all part of my anti-war campaign. It's much easier to love a cute giant dog robot thing then a pimply teenage boy. Maybe it will help motivate people to not fight wars.; March 31, 2008 1:07 PM
Lankowniasaid...: All taxes are lower than they should be period.

If you're allowed to allocate your taxes to war, I'm allowed to allocate mine to urban renewal - which is the real reason your property taxes were disproportionately low (at least at your old house).

Making me cry is mean, but you may be on to something for the anti-war message. A lot of war-supporters will go ape-shit over Michael Vick dog-fighting but couldn't care less about people dying or starving.

Get that robot dog a flack jacket!; March 31, 2008 1:21 PM
Space Zombiesaid...: Space Zombie likes the headless dog. No hair is a big plus too.
SZ will probably take the head and fur off of his own dog tonight.
Will update MvC accordingly.; March 31, 2008 2:15 PM