Apr 21 2009Boston Dynamics: Possibly My Biggest Enemy
Boston Dynamics, purveyor of such hellhounds of the robot apocalypse as BigDog, LittleDog, and BullDog, are back at it, this time at the opposite end of the spectrum: robotic bugs called Squishbots.
SquishBot is a program to develop a new class of soft, shape-changing robot. The goal is to design systems that can transform themselves from hard to soft and from soft to hard, upon command. Another goal is to create systems that change their critical dimensions by large amounts, as much as 10x. Such robots will be like soft animals that can squeeze themselves through small openings and into tight places.
Okay, I want to see a show of hands of who's cool with a robotic centipede burrowing in their ass. Now, everyone look around the room. You see the people with their hands raised? Perverts. The worst kind too: roboboners.
Terrifying robot image of the day: Boston Dynamics' SquishBot [bbgadgets]
Thanks to Greg, who once found a robotic silverfish trying to climb into his ear at night so it could read his mind. Thankfully, Greg huffs Raid and had a can by the bed.
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Reader Comments
1. itsdagooch - April 21, 2009 12:37 PM
last ?
2. Frank B. - April 21, 2009 12:37 PM
We're gonna need a bigger can of raid. These little bastards will be everywhere.
To the bunker!
3. Davo - April 21, 2009 12:38 PM
Sure beats a gerbil up the ass..
4. Frank B. - April 21, 2009 12:38 PM
We're gonna need a bigger can of raid. These little bastards will be everywhere.
To the bunker!
5. proteon - April 21, 2009 12:43 PM
Amazingly I too have developed a system by which I am able to "transform [myself] from hard to soft and from soft to hard, upon command."
6. catch22 - April 21, 2009 12:51 PM
neat concept but im wondering of its practicle application outside of government spying
7. Frank B. - April 21, 2009 1:11 PM
@6 Most definitely. For example, it could be very helpful in locating trapped people during building collapse rescues.
Wouldn't be able to get them out on it's own, but at least you'd know where they were.
8. VickyBee - April 21, 2009 1:19 PM
I never thought I'd say it but after reading this article I think I would be down to get boned by a robot...assuming it could go from hard to soft and change sizes..
9. P.Al - April 21, 2009 1:25 PM
I've seen this type before... Star Wars: AOTC. They attacked Padme right through R2's lazer grid! They must be stopped! If it wasn't for the Jedi she would have been done for! "Just because you can, doesn't mean you should!"
10. Adam - April 21, 2009 1:34 PM
"squeeze themselves through small openings and into tight places."
Guess Paris Hilton is safe!
11. LSDiesel - April 21, 2009 1:35 PM
Pretty soon, I'll only leave my house once a month instead of once a week for fear of the robot / zombie / robot-zombie invasion.
12. photoshop-police - April 21, 2009 1:40 PM
skynet! aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah! run!
13. KirbyPeanuckle - April 21, 2009 1:44 PM
@6 , surpirsed it took me that long to read a robot boner joke.
Come on GW i like my metallic phalluses to be punctual
14. Clint - April 21, 2009 1:55 PM
I can't believe the GW didn't bring up part saying that they "can transform themselves from hard to soft and from soft to hard, upon command." }: -{ / }
15. wow power leveling - April 21, 2009 8:34 PM
what can i do for you
16. Spikey DaPikey - April 22, 2009 4:08 AM
Deffo not cool !
Time to stock up on robo bug spray...
17. szezone - April 22, 2009 10:38 AM
I knew it! The Robs are machine sent from the future!
18. kelehendros - April 22, 2009 11:06 AM
horay for robot assassins i cant wait to get my mind transferred to a cyber brain :D
19. Issue313 - April 24, 2009 4:53 PM
Nice totse.com reference there GW, made me laugh.