The Latest in Terminator Tech

Darpa- who else?

Robot dog to carry equipment. Actually a good idea. Sounds like another requirement.

defensetech.org...

>>As you can see, the Petman, like the DARPA Dog, can balance itself enough to stay upgright and walking even when someone kicks it. The video shows the robot doing push ups and squats.

The end is nigh.

>>Remember DARPA’s BigDog? You know, the terrifying, four-legged robot that won’t fall over when kicked or when walking on ice and snow. Well, DARPA and Boston Dynamics (the guys who are also working on this) are testing an upgraded version of the dog that will carry 400 pounds of gear for more than 20 miles without a refueling.

The latest version of the robot, called the Legged Squad Support System (LS3), will use “vision sensors” to lock onto dismounted soldiers and follow them in the field (like a loyal puppy, too bad it reminds me of the Terminator) and autonomously navigate around obstacles in its path. Heck, the damned thing is even expected to respond to soldiers’ voice commands, like “come”, “stop” and “sit.” Oh and if that’s not enough, it will serve as a walking battery charger for troops’ electronics.

I will say one thing, it’s going to have to get a lot quieter to accompany some infantry patrols.

Read what DARPA has to say about its new toy and then click through the jump to watch a video of the LS3:

Recently the LS3 prototype underwent its first outdoor exercise, demonstrating the ability to follow a person using its “eyes”—sensors that allow the robot to distinguish between trees, rocks, terrain obstacles and people. Over the course of the next 18 months, DARPA plans to complete development of and refine key capabilities to ensure LS3 is able to support dismounted squads of warfighters.

Features to be tested and validated include the ability to carry 400lbs on a 20-mile trek in 24-hours without being refueled, and refinement of LS3’s vision sensors to track a specific individual or object, observe obstacles in its path and to autonomously make course corrections as needed. Also planned is the addition of “hearing” technology, enabling squad members to speak commands to LS3 such as “stop,” “sit” or “come here.” The robot also serves as a mobile auxiliary power source— troops may recharge batteries for radios and handheld devices while on patrol.

DARPA seeks to demonstrate that an LS3 can carry a considerable load from dismounted squad members, follow them through rugged terrain and interact with them in a natural way, similar to the way a trained animal and its handler interact.

“If successful, this could provide real value to a squad while addressing the military’s concern for unburdening troops,” said Army Lt. Col. Joe Hitt, DARPA program manager. “LS3 seeks to have the responsiveness of a trained animal and the carrying capacity of a mule.”

The 18-month platform-refinement test cycle, with Marine and Army involvement, kicks off this summer. The tests culminate in a planned capstone exercise where LS3 will embed with Marines conducting field exercises.

LS3 is based on mobility technology advanced by DARPA’s Big Dog technology demonstrator, as well other DARPA robotics programs which developed the perception technology for LS3’s “eyes” and planned “ears.”



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reply to post by BlackProjects


Whoa be to the Sarah Connors of the world!

This is really cool. Thank you OP. I'm always interested to see new tech and developments in robotics.

Me wants my own personal robot!
Even better, me wants my own robot body to download into when this one goes to poop.

That is horrifying. If I saw that coming toward me and even so much as heard his dogish sidekick, I'd poop and die. In that order.

Who is going to develop the T-1000? I think they should model the human form after the guy that replaced Mulder for a while.

reply to post by BlackProjects


S & F
I don't know if this pre-scripted speech. I didn't really look it up. But if it really does pick up visual cues it's pretty amazing. Couple that with all the DARPA research on autonomous movement and reflexs like big dog then this will be pretty close to having terminator type androids.





This one might not look all that impressive but for a robot to maintaine it's balance it need a hell of a program...apparently.



And this would just be fun

That robot there is really impressive. I wonder how long it will be before we see the japanese come out with a robot that can dance though. It is not very pleasing to the eye yet. I almost bet the japanese will invent the worlds first actual proper cyborg body. I have to say I would be interested in volunteering for that. Imagine having a cyborg body and the possibilities for upgrades down the road.