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BigDog Robot Can Now Hurl Cinder Blocks

Angela Moscaritolo
 & Angela Moscaritolo Managing Editor, Consumer Electronics

Our team tests, rates, and reviews more than 1,500 products each year to help you make better buying decisions and get more from technology.

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If you thought the military's BigDog robot was scary before, then get a load of what it can do now.

The four-legged robot, developed by Boston Dynamics with funding from the U.S. Army's Robotics Collaborative Technology Alliance, can now pick up and hurl cinder blocks. Boston Dynamics on Thursday posted a YouTube video (below) showcasing BigDog's new skill.

In the video, the 240-pound robot picks up a concrete cinder block, moves it to the left, then tosses it over its right shoulder before the block hits the ground and smashes into pieces.

"The goal is to use the strength of the legs and torso to help power motions of the arm," according to the video's description. "This sort of dynamic, whole-body approach is routinely used by human athletes and animals, and will enhance the performance of advanced robots."

Big Dog, dubbed "the most advanced rough-terrain robot on earth" can run at speeds up to 4 mph; climb 35-degree slopes; trek through muddy trails, rubble, snow, and water; and even carry a 340-pound load on its back, according to Boston Dynamics. The goal for BigDog is to eventually go anywhere people and animals can go.

Besides BigDog, Boston Dynamics is also working on several other animal-like robots. The company is developing a robotic pack mule, dubbed the Legged Squad Support System (L3), which can walk up to 20 miles carrying 400 pounds of gear, even up and down hills.

See the video below for a look at BigDog in action. Also check out PCMag's "7 Cool Robot Animals" slideshow above.

About Our Expert

Angela Moscaritolo

Angela Moscaritolo

Managing Editor, Consumer Electronics

My Experience

I'm PCMag's managing editor for consumer electronics, overseeing an experienced team of analysts covering smart home, home entertainment, wearables, fitness and health tech, and various other product categories. I have been with PCMag for more than 10 years, and in that time have written more than 6,000 articles and reviews for the site. I previously served as an analyst focused on smart home and wearable devices, and before that I was a reporter covering consumer tech news. I'm also a yoga instructor, and have been actively teaching group and private classes for nearly a decade. 

Prior to joining PCMag, I was a reporter for SC Magazine, focusing on hackers and computer security. I earned a BS in journalism from West Virginia University, and started my career writing for newspapers in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

The Technology I Use

My little Florida beach bungalow is brimming with smart home tech. I have a smart speaker or display in every room, allowing me to control other connected devices by voice. The Nest Hub on my bedside table lets me set wake-up alarms, control my smart light bulbs, and set the temperature on my smart thermostat. I use the Amazon Echo Show 8 on my kitchen counter to browse recipes, reorder protein powder, check the weather, and watch the news while I do dishes. 

Because I suffer from allergies, air purifiers are essential. My favorite model is the Dyson Purifier Cool TP07, which doubles as a fan and continuously sends indoor pollution data to its companion mobile app. 

My pitbull Bradley sheds, so a good robot vacuum is a must. I currently use a premium Ecovacs Deebot that can both vacuum and mop, empty its own dustbin, and wash its own mop cloth. 

For fitness, I like to mix up my routine with cycling, indoor rowing, running, and strength training in addition to yoga. I take classes on the Tonal 2 smart strength training machine, I row indoors on an Aviron machine, and track my beach runs with an Apple Watch while listening to music on my Apple AirPods Pro. On the weekends, I love riding e-bikes like the rugged, beach-friendly Aventon Aventure for fun and fitness.

My job involves a lot of virtual meetings, so a quality webcam, microphone, and ring light are important. I use the Jabra PanaCast 20 webcam, the Elgato Wave: 3 microphone, and a Yesker tripod ring light. 

As for my preferred phone platform, I'm an iPhone person, but I've also extensively used Android for product testing.

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