Boston Dynamics BigDog

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The Most Advanced Quadruped Robot on Earth
BigDog is the alpha male of the Boston Dynamics family of robots. It is a quadruped robot that walks, runs, and climbs on rough terrain and carries heavy loads. BigDog is powered by a gasoline engine that drives a hydraulic actuation system. BigDog's legs are articulated like an animal's, and have compliant elements that absorb shock and recycle energy from one step to the next. BigDog is the size of a large dog or small mule, measuring 1 meter long, 0.7 meters tall and 75 kg weight.

BigDog has an on-board computer that controls locomotion, servos the legs and handles a wide variety of sensors. BigDog's control system manages the dynamics of its behavior to keep it balanced, steer, navigate, and regulate energetics as conditions vary. Sensors for locomotion include joint position, joint force, ground contact, ground load, a laser gyroscope, and a stereo vision system. Other sensors focus on the internal state of BigDog, monitoring the hydraulic pressure, oil temperature, engine temperature, rpm, battery charge and others.

So far, BigDog has trotted at 3.3 mph, climbed a 35 degree slope and carried a 120 lb load.

BigDog is being developed by Boston Dynamics with help from Foster Miller, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and the Harvard University Concord Field Station.Development is funded by the DARPA Defense Sciences Office.

Channel: Entertainment
Uploaded: August 17, 2007 at 10:15 pm
Author: automatonblog

Length: 00:02:53
Rating: 4.88
Views: 152447

Tags: boston dynamics bigdog robot

Video Comments:
wrpiam (October 11, 2008 at 4:17 am)
That thing is kind of creepy..
kinkinhood (October 5, 2008 at 5:08 pm)
I am guessing what they're wanting to eventually do is make it all electric. Such would make it incredibly quiet and probably reduce any heat signature it would have. For where technology is right now that thing is pretty damned impressive.
bibasone (October 3, 2008 at 8:03 pm)
It looks like its drunk LOL
Jordeecuador (September 30, 2008 at 8:09 am)
is the worst Robot i've ever seen,,,,American Robots Suck,,,,,,
Talldumbdork95 (October 1, 2008 at 6:05 pm)
your right, lets talk about japanese robots. Theres the one that dances. That one was amazing. Then their is the giant mech that slides forward in an awkward fashion. Fake guns on it so that makes it cool. OOOH and europe has like a walking tiger robot that could be pushed over with a hand! Talk about INOVATION!
kimsam123 (September 26, 2008 at 2:15 am)
the sound is unbearable put some cover music
furChrist (September 24, 2008 at 9:41 pm)
Does it just use a ton of cervo motors and maybe some pneumatics, or what?
slinkee2k (September 20, 2008 at 2:09 am)
That is the coolest thing I have seen on youtube, probably ever.

* What happens if it falls over?

* Another type of actuators efficiently? (pneu. or elec.)

* You could use Piezoelectric regenerative shock absorption, coupled with whatever source of electricity, etc.

* Can it kick? You could use titanium construction for some awesome power vs. weight.

I'm so curious! Excellent work! I hope you can develop a cleaner, more energy-efficient model! I wonder if anyone worthwhile will reply to me.
psycoclownagent (September 18, 2008 at 7:45 pm)
2 guys in a suit making THAT noise?
killosouth (September 17, 2008 at 7:25 am)
thats tight