Video: Better Computer Learning Helps LittleDog Scamper Gracefully Through Seriously Tough Terrain

Amazing! You can have your atv...give me LittleDog!

While it isnt as graceful as say a bird or mammal or even a reptile, it is quite a bit better than Bigdog. It moves kind of like a slightly drunk beatle, but it will improve.

Cant wait to see when they get really good and start running, although they will probably try to hunt us down.

Hunters from Half-Life anyone?

I think it's cute! Wonder how it would do in the sand on Mars.....

that looks like a miniature version of the walkers on star wars.

can we put lasers on its head? lol

@extremechiton
thats exactly what i was thinking, at-te/at-at here we come

I wouldn't say its graceful but it is amazing how well it seems to 'learn' where it needs to step. I am just waiting for the US military to anounce their version of the ground based preditor drone, eh hem, if they ever really do.

This technology reminds me of those electronic "spiders" in the movie Minority Report that crawled through the buildings and scanned the main character's eyeball. Here's a link to that scene:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRr72lS3VPU&feature=related
Pretty cool!

Very cool. Aside from the great terrain navigation, I particularly like the human interaction characteristics. That's key for if/when robots become more integrated with everyday life.

...apparently i was the only one who was completely creeped out by the little "dog."

Who makes this? Cyberdyne Systems? If it asks for, "...de Uzi nine millimeter", RUN!

deegeezee,

No, you are not the only one creeped out by this.

Of course it would be less creepy if they painted it white and gave it fluffy bunny "ears" instead of private-commando, "see you on the battlefield" black...

wow that dog is creepy but cool don't u think

@jfh1864: Little Dog is very slow. For a human's purposes, the Mini-Rip is much faster, and more fun to drive. Just Google or YouTube "mini-ripsaw" and be amazed.

As for Little Dog...it seems almost as if its legs don't have rubber ends, what with how they keep slipping on rough stone. I guess having higher-friction feet would interfere with the learning process.

c&c terror drones.

this crap they are making should not be tolerated, its main purpose is for war, all they need now is an LRAD and ADS mounted on top

@jerzyguy29 considering most civilian advances have started off as military projects, i dont see your point as valid. for example, a mountain climbing robot to rescue hikers or climbers, or bring them supplies during time when helicopters cannot reach them is a reasonable civilian use of this. And without advances in military tech, other nations will gain a more comparable advantage over our forces. Robots and more maneuverable vehicles would be a godsend to the troops of future wars, in terrain that is mountainous and near impossible for tanks and other treaded vehicles to reach. The nuclear bomb was invented for war. and has lead to an amazing amount of peace across the world. But as always that weapon of war was turned into something of good use in the civilian world (energy and other medical uses).

Jerzyguy29 this mentality cracks me up. The life you live would be a far cry from what it is if it wasn't for military ingenuity. Agree with Nizeke completely.

On topic, this is awesome technology with many applications. It's amazing what the human race can achieve.