Two words come to mind when the AlphaDog is involved: apex predator. Sure, it's a?robot and not really a predator, but it looks so terrifying it will cause just about anyone to shake in their boots. We?first heard of AlphaDog late last year when?DARPA originally unveiled the terrifying four-legged robot. Its already humongous predecessor,?BigDog, looks positively tame next to this colossal machine.
In the video above, you can see AlphaDog during its very first outdoor assessment, running up and down slopes?but that's not because DARPA's testing it so it can chase hapless people over hills. AlphaDog is designed to carry heavy loads, and it needs to be able to traverse all types of terrain.
The machine will undergo more testing with the?Marines in the next 18 months to ensure it can carry up to 400 lbs. throughout a 24-hour, 20-mile journey without refueling. To put its capacity in perspective, a horse can carry around 240 lbs. of load. DARPA engineers are currently working to create a much quieter motor for AlphaDog so it doesn't give its position away during a mission.
[via?CNET]
This article was written by Mariella Moon and originally appeared on Tecca
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