Urban warfare just became easier - thanks to Google

From the estimable Boston Dynamics via foreXiv.

You need to watch this video all the way through .. and be very afraid.

"Handle is a research robot that stands 6.5 ft tall, travels at 9 mph and jumps 4​ ​feet vertically. ​It uses electric power to operate both electric and hydraulic actuators, with a range of about 15 miles on one battery charge.

Handle uses many of the same dynamics, balance and mobile manipulation principles​ found in the quadruped and biped robots we build, but with only about 10 actuated joints, it is significantly less complex. Wheels are efficient on flat surfaces while legs can go almost anywhere: by combining wheels and legs Handle can have the best of both worlds."

I have a vision of a swarm of those things clearing ISIS territory, toting AKs or M16s.

---

Incidentally, Google owns Boston Dynamics. This from The Guardian:

"Google’s parent company Alphabet is reportedly looking to offload Boston Dynamics, following tensions within the company about its subsidiary’s fit within the wider corporate culture.

"After a previous robotics video was posted to YouTube, Google communications staff sought to distance the company from the hardware, according to emails leaked to Bloomberg News, citing the feeling that such technology could be “terrifying”.

Please don't let me be the first to ask 'Handle' very politely, "Don't be evil"!