Unitree Robotics Go2 - New Design!

Spinning Lidar?

Well I just came across Unitree Robotics' latest robot dog.   They've tweaked the design by adding what looks to be a spinning Lidar sensor to the front.  This offering also seems to have greater mobility and position control.  I haven't delved into all the specifics yet so I'll have to take some time to learn more about it, but for now, let's enjoy the video!  lol.

Let me know what you think about the updated design and how it might influence all the other robot dog manufactures..

Advancements in Quadruped Motion - DeepRobotics

Lite3 from DeepRobotics

  Let me just say this, I'm not so fond of the "face" on this new robot dog/quadruped.  It looks a bit too cartoonish for my taste as a mechanical designer, but I'm head over heels at this robot's ability to leap forward.  That looks to be a very useful maneuver as these types of robots become more common place and have to navigate in the real world.  It's crazy to see just how far quadruped robots have come since Sony released the first Aibo.   Check out the video from DeepRobotics and let me know what you think in the comments below.  Is it too cartoonish?  Does it remind you of a bot from Megaman?

Russia's Robot Tanks on the Battlefield

 

Due of my interest in robotics, military vehicles, and engineering I couldn't help but to notice an article about Russia's robot tank that is to target Germany's Leopard 2 and America's Abrams tanks.  So here are my thoughts on the matter and my comments on the use of UGVs (unmanned ground vehicles) in an actual war.  

First off, we all new this was coming.  We've prophesied its arrival in every form of media since the first Short Circuit movie so no surprise there.  What will surprise me is if the Russian's have a certain amount of success in using their UGV in combat, this would be like pouring fuel on a steady growing fire.  None of the Western Nations will stand for the Russian's to be successful in waging an unmanned ground based war.  I can see the defense contractors "chomping at the bit" to get their latest and greatest "AI" operated war machines onto the battlefield under the guise of fighting for freedom in Ukraine.  

Secondly, the real winners are the defense companies and contractors.  If you can engineer a practical useful robotic weapon where by you can automate some aspects of combat, then war is a godsend for your pocketbook.  No one buys a gun without the intent to use it and the same goes for the military.  No Nation continually invests, trains, and grows its military without the desire to put it into action.  I would say that the "means" now justify the "end" understanding that the underlying goal is to make money and gain or retain power.   

Thirdly, let's talk about the technology involved.  Now the video below goes into more detail on the actual Russian UGV and from my experience in dealing with robotics and programming, it's my opinion that their claims are far fetched.  Much like Tesla's fully autonomous driving claims they're hog wash!  The idea of this glorified remote controlled vehicle being able to accurately target only enemy tanks is silly.  If any of you have dabbled in programming you'll concur on just how easy it is to cause a program to malfunction when taken outside of its sandbox.  So imagine for a moment an armed UGV carrying out a mission in an dynamic unstructured environment.  If humans have a hard time dealing with the FOG of war, communication, logistics, changing environment and what not, how do you think a half baked AI will fare? 

What are your thoughts on Russia's Marker UGV or the use of UGVs in combat?  Leave a comment down below and let's discuss.

Other articles on the subject:

https://eurasiantimes.com/russia-threatens-to-unleash-combat-robot-to-burn-ukraines-us/

https://www.defenseone.com/technology/2023/01/russian-robot-maker-working-bot-target-abrams-leopard-tanks/382288/

"I Ain't New to Dis!"

 Yes, I said it, ebonics and all.  I am not new to building robots and making stuff.  I've been pursuing engineering/mechanical/industrial design since elementary school.  Ever since I was introduced to giant fighting robots and the likes from all the 70's/80's Japanimations/cartoons that proliferated kids programming on television.  I could not get enough of it and I determined within myself to figure out a way to build what I saw on the screen.  Now here I am in 2023 watching all of the amazing robots that have been designed by so many smart people and institutions, and I'm like God, what have I produced?  Why am I not, at the least, involved in some innovative robot project?  Why don't I ever see faces that look like mine on the teams that build such projects?  Why don't I have any friends that build bots?  

I see all the young people with access to this new influx of technology, 3d printers, laser cutters, cnc machines (3 to 5 axis) and so on.  I came up before this era, where I had to hone my model making skills, sketching, and soldering.  Now it's time to add the old to the new and get back into robot making.  

Just to give a little taste of my previous projects.  I'd like to introduce you to my Squatter Buster. 

This little unit was the property of the Cobb County police dept.  It originally came to me as a Traxxas E-Maxx and a old paintball gun.  My task was to get it all assembled together with a camera/transmitter and make it into a radio controlled less lethal deterrent.   Using an analog camera and video transmitter along with a JR airplane radio, the Badger was born.  Here's a run down of its features:

>Servo controlled Pan/Tilt

>Full auto fire (switch activated)

>Retained stock speed... (too fast to drive indoors lol)

This would be my first foray into this type of platform, but it wouldn't be my last.  Here's a sample of it in action evicting a squatter (me) in an   empty house.  Enjoy!  Be sure to add your email to the blog so you won't miss all the robot/mechanical goodness that is coming.