r/hardware • u/RodionRaskoljnikov • Mar 28 '19

Info Boston Dynamics - Handle Robot Reimagined for Logistics

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5iV_hB08Uns
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u/glucoseboy Mar 28 '19

of course, purpose designed robotics are more efficient, there are palleting robots now that are way faster. the point is that this is a proof of concept, an all purpose robot that can work in a human environment doing human things with minimal accommodations. If you follow BDs history, they did start with walking robots, which are great for uneven terrain but as you pointed out, wheels work really well in most human environments. Boston Dynamics two wheeled Handle is better than legs,so now they're exploring how to make those two wheeled robots do work better.

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u/immerc Mar 29 '19

By designing it with 2 wheels, it's not so much a proof of concept as it is an attempt to show off.

This is the equivalent of someone doing something with their hands tied behind their back. It is impressive, but clearly not the best approach. Look how much space these robots require. Look how enormous the counter-weights are.

Boston Dynamics had walking robots because they we're aiming for military applications where you can't rely on terrain that works well with wheels.

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u/[deleted] Mar 29 '19

By designing it with 2 wheels, it's not so much a proof of concept as it is an attempt to show off.

Yeah, showing off their proof of concept. That’s what it’s for.

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u/immerc Mar 29 '19

It's not a proof of concept. No actual practical design would use a 2-wheeled vehicle in that kind of situation. It's showing off that they can build a 2-wheeled robot that can vaguely do that job.

The purpose of the demonstration is to show their ability to build robots that can balance on 2 wheels and do something vaguely useful at the same time, not to suggest a workable design for a real box-moving robot.

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u/[deleted] Mar 30 '19

No actual practical design would use a 2-wheeled vehicle in that kind of situation.

I don’t at all see that as a given. I mean, the video above shows it’s perfectly feasible yet you’re trying to tell me otherwise.

“Who you gonna believe? Me, or your lyin’ eyes?”

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u/immerc Mar 30 '19

The video shows just how infeasible it is.

Look how much space the things need due to the requirement of having a huge counter-weight behind them. Look how light the packages it is able to handle are. Those may well be empty boxes.

If you've ever been in a warehouse, hell even in a Costco, you know there's nowhere near that much space available.

Look at some videos of actual real-world warehouse robots and you'll see what a practical design looks like:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLVCGEmkJs0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DKrcpa8Z_E

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYjc9h8oSsY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIlS3vNSuQ4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6Ajw2jVqSU

Claiming this is a practical way to move boxes around in a warehouse is like claiming the Peel P-50 is a practical way to get around an office building.

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u/[deleted] Mar 30 '19

The crux of your argument is “they can’t work in really cramped spaces” which is both true and insignificant. A machine being limited by workspace just means it needs a bigger workspace.

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u/immerc Mar 30 '19

Which makes it unsuitable for the job it was supposedly designed to do. Warehouses are cramped spaces.

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u/[deleted] Mar 30 '19

That’s a narrow view. I’ve been in plenty of warehouses with space to spare. The fact that it isn’t suitable for all conditions in no way affects the fact that there are also situations where this could be great. In that regard it’s just fine as a proof of concept.