Big Dog/Alpha Dog = RoS Vanguard?

[Rowan]

I was browsing around and picked up an article about AlphaDog that's an improvement on the old Big Dog pack bot thing if anyone's familiar with that. Looking at it, it reminds me vaguely of the XAU-02 Vanguard from the Reign of Steel world book, as well as it being listed in Will To Live over on e23. :)

Anyone else have similar feelings? Just curious, I've always thought the Big Dog and now Alpha Dog robots were really cool.

[Daeglan]

Originally Posted by Rowan

I was browsing around and picked up an article about AlphaDog that's an improvement on the old Big Dog pack bot thing if anyone's familiar with that. Looking at it, it reminds me vaguely of the XAU-02 Vanguard from the Reign of Steel world book, as well as it being listed in Will To Live over on e23. :)

Anyone else have similar feelings? Just curious, I've always thought the Big Dog and now Alpha Dog robots were really cool.

Do you have a link to these I am not familiar with them.

[Rowan]

Originally Posted by Daeglan

Do you have a link to these I am not familiar with them.

Yeah, sure thing let me find them:

Here's big dog http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNZPRsrwumQ

and the wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BigDog

And Alpha Dog: http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2011/09/alphadog-robot/

[RyanW]

Originally Posted by Rowan

And Alpha Dog: http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2011/09/alphadog-robot/

Why does every video of these things involve someone kicking it? Do these things just invite abuse?

Also, am I the only one who thinks the way it stands at the very end is terrifying? It just slowly and smoothly rises to it's feet in a way that says "Remember the beginning of 2001 A Space Odyssey? Yeah, you've just created your replacement."

[Ulzgoroth]

Originally Posted by RyanW

Why does every video of these things involve someone kicking it? Do these things just invite abuse?

Because ability to recover from being destabilized like that is a major selling point.

[Daeglan]

Yeah the ability to keep on its feet after being kicked or shoved is an amazing demo. Most mechanicals like this would fall over.

[Stripe]

Someone call the Robot ASPCA. ;)

It's funny, until I fast-forwarded it and saw the people at the end, I thought the robot was the size of a small dog.

[Rowan]

Originally Posted by RyanW

Why does every video of these things involve someone kicking it? Do these things just invite abuse?

'Cause they know, man... they know what the robots are planning!! XD

Also, am I the only one who thinks the way it stands at the very end is terrifying? It just slowly and smoothly rises to it's feet in a way that says "Remember the beginning of 2001 A Space Odyssey? Yeah, you've just created your replacement."

What I really found creepy is how quickly it can just tear off down the track at a sudden flat out run.

Jeeze, I'd never be able to escape that thing! XD

[Highland_Piper]

I want a saddle for it!!

[Verjigorm]

I, for one, welcome our robot overlords.