Comments on: Our robot overlords

By: Timothy C. Phillips

Timothy C. Phillips — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 05:30:44 +0000

What we need to realize is that this is the Model A. A new Pandora’s box has been opened on the world. With armies all over the world engaged in scaling down their forces for the next world conflict, and reorganizing in an attempt to maximize cost versus effectiveness, an explosion of battlefield robotics is undoubtedly close at hand.

Envision larger, armored up, heavily armed, and much more advanced, versions of Big Dog, and I believe creepiness will give way to fear.

Think of it. Battalions of soldiers that never tire, do not hunger or thirst, and feel no pain or remorse…that just be the most daunting development since the atomic bomb; look at the myriad complexities its development and use created. Pandora’s box, indeed.

By: snerd

snerd — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 05:30:20 +0000

Dear future robot overlords, please be kind and merciful masters to our poor ape race. Also, please do not eviscerate us and use our cyborg husks to build pandimensional skyscrapers.

By: Ze Kraggash

Ze Kraggash — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 05:18:53 +0000

Wow, this seems to be the an early version of Rincewind’s “Luggage” from Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series. Now they just have to make the inside bigger than the outside…

By: Ted Judah

Ted Judah — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 07:33:16 +0000

Interesting look at the robots’ predecessor:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXJZVZFRFJc

By: Chip

Chip — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 05:32:12 +0000

Many have welcomed the robot overlords but, as the ancient Greeks warned, one should be careful what one wishes for – (you may get it.) Behold: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WHQI5iKYfM&feature=related

By: Paul

Paul — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 02:55:10 +0000

This is pretty freaky.

By: Gustav Nyström

Gustav Nyström — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 20:57:07 +0000

I, too, was extremely creeped-out at first by this robot, but when that guy push-kicked it in the side my
emotional response was not unlike pity.

On the topic of utilitarian applications for the robot; uses as an military-mule or wheelchair-replacement, has already been mentioned. I was thinking it probably could be put to good use in disaster areas, and not just battlefields, to transport supplies, medicin and wounded people. But, as it has already been mentioned, they would have to work on the robots image. A scary-sounding killer-machine won’t just cut it as a paramedic.

By: Mike Torr

Mike Torr — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 19:28:55 +0000

I’ve just realised… that engine makes a noise just like Orac (from Blake’s 7)…

By: MarkH

MarkH — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 18:08:34 +0000

I’m wiatin for the ones that you can ride in or pilot. Slap a few rocket packs on and maybe a machine gun or laser or two…. yeeeehaaaaa!

I Want my Battlemaster

By: JediBear

JediBear — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 17:21:07 +0000

Shame on you, Phil! Perpetuating the flagantly anti-technology Frankenstein Myth…

I, for one, welcome our new robot overlords.

By: Joneil

Joneil — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 16:41:08 +0000

What’s the matter with all you guys? Cannot figure it out?

It’s the first Cylon!

By: Larian LeQuella

Larian LeQuella — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 14:35:09 +0000

I’ve seen this thing in action. The movie is pretty cool, but up close and personal this thing just blows your mind!

By: Meeee

Meeee — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 14:14:00 +0000

@WithoutSol

“It would be interesting to gauge the psychological effects of these type of autonomous robots as they become more numerous. Perhaps the creepy factor will be a hurdle to over come when marketing house-hold walking robots and things of that sort. Will they need to be made “cute” to be acceptable, sacrificing design for looks (like some vehicles)?”

Maybe it’s some new version of the “Uncanny Valley” thing (I’m not going to post a link because it takes forever to get moderated, just search for it on wikipedia), only instead of human likeness in terms of looks, it’s realistic movement/behaviour.

Definitely something interesting to look into.

By: American Voyager

American Voyager — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 13:21:51 +0000

Those giant bug legs flipped me out. Reminds me of those awful giant insect movies they used to make. Still, it is an amazing feat. Thank God it made that loud noise. If it were quiet like a real insect, I would really have flipped out. I don’t know. Some of the other posters are right. I see military usess and potential for planetary exploration. Armor them and send them to Mars, Venus, Eurpoa, and anywhere else. But not here. Not with those legs!! Ugh!

By: John Phillips, FCD

John Phillips, FCD — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 12:08:31 +0000

I don’t get the creepy bit I just think very very cool.

By: Darrin

Darrin — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 11:05:52 +0000

How to make it even more awesome:
1) Put cow skulls on each end
2) Put some horrible, warbling death sound on it.
3) Give it a decaying animal exterior
4) Turn it loose and watch people crap themselves.

I would pay to see that.

I, for one, welcome our new benefactors…

By: Danniel B.

Danniel B. — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 08:27:20 +0000

I think looking at the head it is designed to be able to walk both ways without turning around, so to give it a “head” they would need to put two on, and that’ll be even creepier.

By: Ad Hominid

Ad Hominid — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 08:06:09 +0000

Any other old-timers remember Magnus Robot-Fighter? This was popular enough during its heyday to rate a Mad Magazine parody, Magnut, Robot-Biter.

By: madge

madge — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 07:51:15 +0000

I too saew this a while back and was REALLY impressed. The way that thing reacts to destabilising is awesome!

By: zeb

zeb — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 07:32:56 +0000

OH MY FREAKING GOD!!!! (whom I don’t believe in)…

That someone has been able to build something with such complex adaptive mechanisms, that it still works even though lots of random, unpredictable stuff it happening (the guy just walks up and shoves it with his foot for crissake!) it’s completely unbelievable.

See Marshall Brain’s Robotic Nation to see where this is likely going.

By: CR

CR — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 06:58:26 +0000

Maybe if it had a ‘head,’ just for aesthetics, it wouldn’t be so creepy to so many people.

On a different forum, I saw this video a couple months ago, and made the comment about how it would make a great rescue tool, if it didn’t scare it’s intended rescuee to death!
I can just picture it…
Lost hiker, pinned under a fallen tree by a rocky riverbed in the middle of nowhere: “What? Hey, that sounds like a snowmobile, or a four-wheeler or… well, something. Rescuers! I’m saved! HEY! I’m over here, by the fallen tree! Over here!” Lost hiker gets a good look at this large, headless THING purposfully ambling its way over rough terrain directly toward him: “AAAUGH! HELP! SOMEBODY HELP ME! KEEP IT AWAY!!!”

By: anonymous

anonymous — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 06:49:33 +0000

I can’t look at that without thinking that it’s got two rear ends.

By: themadlolscientist

themadlolscientist — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 05:42:11 +0000

YOICKS! K9 has been assimilated by the Borg!

By: Beelzebud

Beelzebud — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 05:31:14 +0000

Wow, I see what you mean about it being freaky. I’m not sure why, but it really creeps me out.

Maybe it’s from playing too much Half Life 2 and being hunted down by the v2.0 of this thing.

By: Chris Swanson

Chris Swanson — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 05:20:43 +0000

Pretty spiffy!

You know, I’ve never understood the whole “the robots will destroy us!” business. I mean, why would they? Why would we program them to do so? It seems as likely as my DVR destroying me (though it’s already done a number on my social life, so, hmmm…).