Just saw this first on Military.Com newsletter and then found it on Youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3G-UE1HwGI

Certainly looks like a first step towards at least a 4-legged Mecha thing of the future. The one I saw earlier said it ways in at around 275 pounds but can carry 350 pounds. That would be good for carrying wounded off a battlefield - a bit rough, but not much more so than 2 stretcher bearers. If they can do something about the engine noise, that would be a good thing, though. Put a saddle on it and ride to work.

Tom Oxley

I saw somethingmlike this only bigger on Discovery about logging.

The way it recovers after the kick is nothing short of amazing. It reminds me of an old, old Commodore 64 game titled M.U.L.E. where one of your most vital pieces of equipment was this cantankerous four legged robot M.U.L.E.....

of the Big Dog, watching the poor thing try to deal with ice is almost painful - but it never quite falls over.

The Auld Grump

Very nice...I just wonder what kind of duration they can give it?...it looks power hungry

And, in honor of April Fool's Day:

Hehe...that was very well done
When I looked at the real robot at the start of this post...Just for a moment or two..I wondered..is this for real...or just two guys head to head?...Guess i wasnt the only one

Efficiency for a walking robot is a big problem. The essential issue, is how much energy does a robot use to remain still. (And you'll note that Big Dog, can't sit still.) When you want to stand up and use little energy, you lock your knees.

The servos and motors used by Big Dog are the most inefficient solution available.

But Dang, that looked impressive. I wonder when they'll market teh 'backpack buddy' for high tech hikers.

Dang, poor Wesley, Will Wheaton just can never catch a break. Next it'll be Adric bashing...

Some friends and I were discussing this the other day.

IT was totally creepy when the guy kicks it and the damn thing recovers almost... like a real quadruped... (put me in mind of a young deer or something)...and doesn't it just figure... this thing has to have a chainsaw sound ontop to really up the creep factor.

Amazing...really...but it's movement is crossing into the land of the .

~Floyd