Boston Dynamics unwraps military robot AlphaDog (w/ video)
October 3, 2011 by Nancy Owano 
(PhysOrg.com) -- Boston Dynamics has taken the wraps off its newest prototype combat escort, AlphaDog, which was developed with funding from DARPA and the US Marine Corps. Waltham, Massachusetts-based Boston Dynamics last week revealed the video that shows AlphaDog's capabilities for troop support. Those who have seen the video are calling the quadruped robot such names as Mule Poodle, Monster Mutt and BigDog-on-Steroids, but AlphaDog is its name. The robot is described further as the prototype for the formally named LS3. The latter stands for Legged Squad Support System.
The robot, once fully ready for combat, will navigate through any rough terrain conditions, and will carry 400 pounds of equipment for 20 miles without having to refuel.
This video is not supported by your browser at this time.
AlphaDog does not need a driver; it follows along with troops, making use of its GPS, computer vision and state of the art hydraulics. AlphaDog is actually the offspring of BigDog, an earlier, noisier, version with limited payload and operating range. Nonetheless, BigDog was an impressive step forward in the company’s development efforts toward a mule-like pack robot that could support troop movements and carry gear.BigDog took on four legs articulated like an animal's, with compliant elements to absorb shock and recycle energy from one step to the next. Sensors for locomotion included a gyroscope, LIDAR and stereo vision system
AlphaDog, in comparison, is designed to be over ten times quieter than BigDog, according to the company. This quadruped has the same cargo carrying mission as BigDog, but with better range and payload.
AlphaDog is to debut next year, and the video shows results so far of this latest round of development."This video shows early results from the control development process," says the company. The video has drawn reactions from viewers who are impressed not as much over its ability to maneuver its four legs over rough rocks and logs but rather its ability to stay on balance no matter how hard the testers shove it around.
Boston Dynamics teamed up with outside groups to assemble the robot. The company worked with engineers and scientists from Boston Dynamics, Bell Helicopter, AAI Corporation, Carnegie Mellon, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Woodward HRT (the latter does motion control systems and components).
When AlphaDog does make its appearance in 2012, DARPA and the U.S. Marines will put the robot through tests.
Boston Dynamics is an MIT spinoff. The company’s president, Marc Raibert said, “If LS3 can offload 50 pounds from the back of each soldier in a squad, it will reduce warfighter injuries and fatigue and increase the combat effectiveness of our troops.”
More information: via IEEE Spectrum
© 2011 PhysOrg.com
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Oct 03, 2011
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Oct 03, 2011
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Oct 03, 2011
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Oct 03, 2011
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I seem to remember that similar problems (including noise) "dogged" (sorry about the pun!) the military "strong-man" outfit that was supposed to allow a soldier wearing it to demolish walls just by punching them.
Oct 03, 2011
Rank: 3.3 / 5 (3)
They should dress the final version to actually look like an animal in fur and whatnot so it doesn't draw attention.
Oct 03, 2011
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I'd suspect the information given about load capacity and range would be of the final product which would include it's own fuel and work source.
From the video I can see weights added; maybe to compensate, while testing, for what you brought up?
I guess it could also be for "dead weight" to make it more stable but what engineer would just add weight lol.
Oct 03, 2011
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http://www.youtub...zBcnX1Ww
Oct 03, 2011
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Oct 03, 2011
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Maybe, but the other big problem would be noise. That was what "killed" the strong-man machine - noise from power generation.
Oct 03, 2011
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Just tested this theory on my cat... turns out, you are correct in your second statement. I'm glad Boston Dynamics included the "Do not get angry and run away" programming
Oct 03, 2011
Rank: 2.5 / 5 (6)
there is so MUCH to be done to make these things actually useful.
why you ask? well if this thing cannot outperform a real horse, why would you not just use a real freaking horse.
horses , real horses, and real mules, are amazing at doing precisely what big dog is being asked to do.
the ONLY clear advantage to big dog in the field as it stands right now and for the forseeable future is that you can shut it 'OFF'.
otherwise , it's just an expensive piece of civilian hardware that has no applications in the world of fighting, other than logistic base and backup support.
Oct 03, 2011
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Oct 03, 2011
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- If AlphaDog breaks a leg, you can fix it with duct tape and a metal rod
- If AlphaDog gets shot, it'll probably keep going unaffected
- You can probably stack several AlphaDogs on top of one another for transport overseas
- AlphaDog will not get sick
- If you need AlphaDog to stop immediately, stay and be quiet, it will
- You can take cover behind an AlphaDog during a firefight and not feel bad for it or expect it to run away
Sure, it's a tradeoff, but in the end the logistical footprint SHOULD be smaller for AlphaDog than a horse. We have yet to see how much regular maintenance they require... probably lots of moving parts on one of these
Oct 03, 2011
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Oct 03, 2011
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The fireman's firehouse dog is a premonition of this down to the whiny noise it makes. all they need to add is a slew of hypodermic needles/darts filled with poison where the neck should come out and you've got the perfect civilian oppression machine.
How long until we are dealing with shape shifting robots hellbent on killing Sarah Connor?
Oct 03, 2011
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What this bot needs is some good artificial muscles. It would be a lot quieter and simpler.
Oct 03, 2011
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Oct 03, 2011
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This replaces the utility of something as simple as a mule how?
Oct 03, 2011
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Also food input and output.
Oct 03, 2011
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Oct 03, 2011
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About as long as it takes for us to come up with a viable power system? Someone above mentioned BigDog (which has been around since 2007 or so?), if you're wondering where our tax dollars are and have been going, look no further. Which is not to say this entirely of course, but things like this (Mach 10 missiles, etc.).
Between, say, a functioning educational system, a functioning health care system, or 10s of 1,000s of other government jobs (that could go towards a better functioning society) and 4 legged drones, we have chosen 4 legged drones.
America: the land of completely jacked priorities.
As cool as this is, HOW is this what we have chosen to focus on at this time?? I realize there is no WE in the decision making process, but still how is this acceptable, how are people not taking to the streets over this??
Oct 03, 2011
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Oct 03, 2011
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Right, because a furry, headless torso animal with oddly jointed legs and gait will look more natural. But what's the difference anyway whether the transport is seen as a mule, a jeep or a robot?
Oct 03, 2011
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And ATV's can haul trailers full of supplies too.
Oct 04, 2011
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Oct 04, 2011
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Oct 04, 2011
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Oct 04, 2011
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This is arguably better at going over very complex terrain with minimal input, although you make a good point. Sometimes the military designs things with the hope that the next iteration (or the one after that) will be superior to current tech. In theory, this could someday climb a ladder.
Simple: weight savings. A standard foot mission (special forces excluded) will not exceed 30 miles round trip so why add the extra weight? I'm sure the Pentagon will get involved, though, and add guns and armor and stupid stuff like that. See the movie Pentagon Wars for a mostly true story about that... and the F-22 & F-35 are ongoing examples of expert congressional input
Oct 04, 2011
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Oct 04, 2011
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Oct 08, 2011
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But yeah, its pretty god damn amazing just how well this alphadog navigates. I'm sure they would be able to scale it up and add guns if they got the right grant .. its almost scary how close we are to mechwars. :\
Although maybe its better if wars were conducted by robots?
Oct 08, 2011
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It would make a very interesting ATV if it were designed more like an anthropomorphic exoskeleton
http://www.youtub...=related
Oct 08, 2011
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http://www.popsci...ot-world
first was unmanned aerial vehicles
now I think we are seeing a push for unmanned terrestrial vehicles
They could become patrolling troopers with the ability to fire ammo at high value targets
Just think if an enemy fires at a convoy from the side of the road. Just send a squad of cheetahs to locate, surround, and detain until soldiers arrive for questioning. Or they could just kill the enemy on the spot. In the next 50 to 100 years, this could be the technology which eliminates local armed resistance. No more guerrilla warfare; just invasion and immediate complete domination. Better hope you are on the right side.
Oct 10, 2011
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Boston Dynamics is run by arseholes who use circular logic - Well Duhh! if you cretins stopped making war on everyone and everything then and profiting from it - just like your corrupt military, industries and government - and your banks, then you would not need soldiers and they would not be getting injuries - or getting shot up, after they shoot at the people who's country they are invading and occupying.
Oct 11, 2011
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This has been a core theme in military discussions over the past couple years. Tactics and strategy aside, the moral ramifications of this make it difficult to cope with. Two nations with the tech to pull off a mech war would totally remove the horrors from the battlefield. Then, when one side won the mech war, would the other side simply give up? Not likely. Then you'd have machines killing humans without regret or remorse. A society like this may never feel a need to stop warring since there would never be a body bag sent home or a crippled war vet in their community. I'm not an advocate for crippling veterans, especially since I AM one... but you can't argue the impact it has on society
This discussion can probably go round and round for eternity. Hopefully the world can find peace before we find a need to test the theory