Boston Dynamics: Introducing WildCat
Boston Dynamics just unleashed a new animal to it's fleet of killer robots. Allow me to introduce the hairless feline known as "WildCat"...
Boston Dynamics, an engineering company specializing in advanced robotics and software for human simulation, is participating in DARPA's Maximum Mobility and Manipulation (M3) program, which seeks to build robot systems that can move quickly in natural environments. To that end, it first developed a prototype called Cheetah that broke all speed records for legged robots last year making it the fastest legged robot in the world. Cheetah was capable of reaching 28 mph (45 km/h), but it was tethered to an external power source and had the benefit of running on a smooth treadmill while being partially balanced by a boom arm. At the time, Boston Dynamics said it was working towards a free-running version of the robot, but it wasn't until a few hours ago that they finally blew the lid on it.
Currently Boston Dynamics has yet to update its webside with WildCat's technical details, but we'll keep you updated as they roll in. For now, enjoy the somewaht terrifying glimpse into the future in the following video:
In video footage first posted Thursday to Boston Dynamics' official YouTube page, the robot can be seen galloping and turning on the flat surface of a parking lot. "So far WildCat has run at about 16 mph on flat terrain using bounding and galloping gaits," Boston Dynamics said. "The video shows WildCat's best performance so far."
WildCat not only gallops, but can bound and turn circles as well. And, when it loses its footing during the demonstration and nearly flips over, it comes to rest with all four feet on the ground not much worse for wear. Being that this is still fairly early in its development, the quadruped's powerful motors don't so much purr as scream, but as we've seen with Boston Dynamics' other robots they can dampen the noise later. For now, its work is focused on getting the robot up to speed.
Development of the WildCat is being funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, or DARPA, a U.S. Defense Department agency that conducts research and develops new technology for military use.
Boston Dynamics is also responsible for the Atlas, a 6-foot 2-inch, 330-pound humanoid robot. Other robots by the Waltham, Mass.-based tech company include the BigDog, a three foot long robot weighing 240 pounds; the LS3, a four legged robot designed to carry as much as 400 pounds of gear for soldiers, as well as fuel for a 20-mile mission lasting as long as 24 hours; and the SandFlea, a 11 pound robot capable of jumping 30 feet in the air.
There's no denying the eeriness of seeing these robots in action. Most of them look as if they're straight out of a dystopian science-fiction film. But, as Geek.com pointed out, the potential for using these robots in military situations is too great to ignore, which means DARPA will continue to fund Boston Dynamics in its effort to develop advanced robot technology.
