Can someone explain to me why it's important to duplicate the our mediocre human design for the robot? Our design is fairly flawed, mechanically. I understand the "let's not scare people" idea, but is that concern actually relevant?
IMHO, by the time any of the robotics technology is ready to go into production, that the old people they were worried about scaring will have died long ago, and those old people will be replaced by people who are today in their 40s or so.
I think it's fairly safe to say that today's average 40 year-old understands the concept of robots and wouldn't be particularly frightened or even concerned by the presence by a robot having four legs and two arms, even if it was standing upright. The designers could benefit by simplified balancing and all the practical working knowledge available on multi-legged movement.
I'd probably be startled to find a Big Dog checking me out at night in a hospital bed, but some upright robot with the suitable production coverings? That'd be okay.
Kind of a straw man? Upright bipedal forms are very efficient for running, especially in uneven or obstructed terrain. Horses are good for level plains; many other runners are bipedal.
I don't think domesticated prey/herd animals are good examples to compare capabilities.
IMHO, the human leg/knee/ankle/feet are not well designed. Mountain goats (Dall Sheep, for instance), pumas, and most larger working dogs and cats seem to fly in the face of your statement about handling obstructed terrain.
Yeah, I saw it as the lead on Drudge. I know some people don’t like the Daily Mail. Please note that I didn't change your submission, I just thought the story deserved another chance.
Cool. But still has that mincing, crouched gait that so many bipedal bots have. Its not convincing until I see a clean, smooth gait with limbs fully extended.
Can someone explain to me why it's important to duplicate the our mediocre human design for the robot? Our design is fairly flawed, mechanically. I understand the "let's not scare people" idea, but is that concern actually relevant?
IMHO, by the time any of the robotics technology is ready to go into production, that the old people they were worried about scaring will have died long ago, and those old people will be replaced by people who are today in their 40s or so.
I think it's fairly safe to say that today's average 40 year-old understands the concept of robots and wouldn't be particularly frightened or even concerned by the presence by a robot having four legs and two arms, even if it was standing upright. The designers could benefit by simplified balancing and all the practical working knowledge available on multi-legged movement.
I'd probably be startled to find a Big Dog checking me out at night in a hospital bed, but some upright robot with the suitable production coverings? That'd be okay.