International Creepy Boston Dynamics Horse Day
Today is International Creepy Boston Dynamics Horse Day. On September 10, 2012, Boston Dynamics released footage of a rough-terrain robot it developed with funding from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and the U.S. Marine Corps.
The robot’s official name is The Legged Squad Support System (LS3). Its sensors allow it to follow a human leader while avoiding obstacles. It carries up to 400 pounds and travels 20 miles before it requires refueling.
It is an impressive feat of engineering. There is also a nightmarish quality to its movement. Check it out:
There have been many iterations since then, but each one looks creepy. We know the uncanny valley theory applies to the discomfort and repulsion we feel when looking at robots that appear nearly human, but I think it applies here as well. Imagine a horse looking at this thing. Would she see a Terminator sent from the future to kill her, even if she’s never seen the movies? Food for thought.
Happy International Creepy Boston Dynamics Horse Day!