DARPA Asks Boston Dynamics For Bigger BigDog
Writing by Evan Ackerman on Monday, 1 of February , 2010 at 2:50 pm
We first got wind of this back in October, but now it’s official, with a picture… DARPA’s LS3 (Legged Squad Support System) program has just awarded Boston Dynamics $32 million over 30 months to design and build a prototype for a new, larger walking quadruped platform that will probably not be called HugeDog. Here’s what DARPA specifies in the contract:
The program goal is to develop a walking quadruped platform that will augment squads by carrying traditional and new equipment autonomously. These platforms will be capable of managing complex terrain where tactical vehicles are not able to go, lightening the load of Marines and Soldiers and increasing their combat capability. LS3 will carry 400 pounds or more of payload, and provide 24 hours of self-sustained capability over as much as 20 miles of maneuver. LS3 will weigh no more than 1,250 pounds (including its base weight, fuel and payload of 400 pounds).
Key LS3 program themes are:
-Quadruped platform development: design of a deployable walking platform with sufficient payload capacity, range, endurance, and low noise signature for dismounted squad support, while keeping weight and volume scaled to the squad level.
-Walking control: develop control techniques that allow walking, trotting, and running/ bounding and capabilities to jump obstacles, cross ditches, recover from disturbances, and other discrete mobility features.
-User Interface (to include perception technologies): the ability for the vehicle to perceive and traverse its immediate terrain environment autonomously with simple methods of Marine/Soldier control.
The key differences from the existing hardware are increased range (20 miles from 12), increased payload (400 pounds from 340), and the ability to jump and trot. Oh, and the “low noise signature,” which I guess means that DARPA wants it sounding like something besides a giant swarm of bees. Or one giant bee. If everything stays on schedule, we should be seeing some awesome and hilarious videos sometime around 2012.
Comments (13)
Category: General
- Add this post to
- Del.icio.us -
- Digg
Comment by Robotbling
Made Monday, 1 of February , 2010 at 3:19 pm
That is crazy news! This will be so cool to see when it’s built.
Comment by Gromit
Made Monday, 1 of February , 2010 at 3:58 pm
You have to wonder why DARPA doesn’t just buy a few mules…
Comment by FelipeChoque
Made Monday, 1 of February , 2010 at 4:08 pm
Awesome!!! BigDog is one of the most famous robots out there. Let’s hope the best for the team!
also waiting for the forthcoming videos XD and that noise reduction!!!
Comment by Earthworm
Made Tuesday, 2 of February , 2010 at 9:58 am
Comment by Earthworm
Made Tuesday, 2 of February , 2010 at 9:59 am
http://people.csail.mit.edu/jacobe/atat.jpeg Star Wars did it!
Comment by Goose
Made Tuesday, 2 of February , 2010 at 1:09 pm
AT-ATs don’t jump though now do they
Comment by phdearthworm
Made Tuesday, 2 of February , 2010 at 3:28 pm
@Goose: how sweet would that be, though…
As long as it’s head shoots laser beams, I’ll be happy.
Comment by FRANK
Made Monday, 13 of December , 2010 at 6:58 am
To ‘GROMIT’ No, YOU have to wonder about the mules. I don’t. We don’t. We realize that taking innocent beasts of burden into war is a pretty cruel thing to do. They wind up getting killed; killed, then eaten, or left to starve to death. Time for you to wake up, ‘GROMIT’.
Comment by WarWar
Made Tuesday, 11 of October , 2011 at 8:47 am
All gang ho for killing machines. But if you are going to war, I do agree that mules are a smarter choice.
Comment by coffee fundraiser
Made Saturday, 19 of November , 2011 at 5:16 am
Thanks for spending the time to debate this, I really feel strongly about it and love reading more on this topic. If possible, as you develop into an expert, would you mind updating your weblog with more details?
Comment by shaker furniture
Made Monday, 21 of November , 2011 at 6:33 pm
After studying just a few of the weblog posts in your web site now, and I really like your way of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark web site listing and can be checking again soon. Pls check out my website as nicely and let me know what you think.
Comment by real estate lancaster
Made Tuesday, 22 of November , 2011 at 1:21 am
Awesome job on this post.
Comment by arginine supplement
Made Tuesday, 22 of November , 2011 at 9:41 pm
An attention-grabbing dialogue is worth a comment. I believe that you must write more on this topic, it might not be a taboo topic but generally individuals are not sufficient to talk on such topics. To the next. Cheers
