South Korea's Small Robot Dog Quietly Prances Around

[unreal.livejournal.com]

We have been enjoying plenty of BigDog/AlphaDog videos of late, showing off the Marines’ sure-footed four-legged robot. Well apparently the U.S. isn’t the only country planning to build a pack of quadruped bots. Check out this small South Korean robot dog, prancing quietly around a trade show.
South Korean firm SimLab is building the robot and testing simulation software on it to help the robot gain more ambulatory autonomy. It’s still a little wobbly, as the video shows. It doesn’t go backward, but then most flesh-and-blood animals don’t, either. The video is from the IEEE's International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems last month.
IEEE Spectrum says the South Korean government is sponsoring a taller version, and this little fella is being used as a proof of concept.

Source: popsci & GerbilGod7

Comments

[shintotchi.livejournal.com]

This was interesting. I wish I could see the US dog to compare. The technology is impressive, but the SK prototype is not...not yet anyway. Like you said it was wobbly and it's only a basic form right now. Maybe the US version is also a prototype like this. I'll have to check it out.

[shintotchi.livejournal.com]

Just saw the US alpha dog, and THAT was impressive. Good grief that was impressive. Yeah...SK has a ways to go.

[nandexdame.livejournal.com]

The US one looks like something out of a horror movie. They could win a battle just by scaring the crap out of people.

[t-domination.livejournal.com]

mte the US one is pretty damn scary

[jjjinyoung.livejournal.com]

sort of creepy, but cool to see I guess

[weaselbee.livejournal.com]

this is like tron meets silent hill for me.

[hellafun.livejournal.com]

that looks cute. but it looks like it would topple over with very little effort

[ebenetwo.livejournal.com]

who the fuck wants a robot dog?

i want a dog coz it's furry and warm and i can cuddle with it or have him sleep on top of my feet in front of the tv so i don't have to put on socks when it's cold.

fuck this headless droid

[ohaimark.livejournal.com]

Whatever guys, I, for one welcome our new robot dog overlords.

[nnejck.livejournal.com]

What would this be used for?

[exeuntpbabear.livejournal.com]

Well, the prototype developed for the US military is primarily for carrying heavy equipment over uneven terrain, I think. I imagine this version would have some similar use.

[waltz-in-code.livejournal.com]

wow that looks so wobbly and uncoordinated
also i sure hope the joints can move side to side or else it's going to fall over as soon as anyone pushes it from the side

[k0dama.livejournal.com]

reminds me of that robopet toy I had 5 years ago.
It walked just as well & fell over often just like that dog.

[ideservestars.livejournal.com]

WOW KOREA ITS NOT LIKE YOU HAVE REAL DOGS OR ANYTHING

[remy-hahn.livejournal.com]

Metal Gear Solid, especially the prototype by the U.S.