Robot 'big dog' can now throw concrete blocks

WASHINGTON: A giant four-legged robot named ‘Big Dog’ has gained an extra arm and is now capable of lifting and hurling concrete blocks.

The robot, which was initially designed for military use, is made by US robotics company Boston Dynamics and supported by the US Department of Defence.

"The goal is to develop techniques for using the strength of the legs and torso to help power motions of the arm," Boston Dynamics said in its description of the video on YouTube.

"This sort of dynamic approach is routinely used by human athletes and is now improving the performance of robots."

The robot's legs also mimic an animal's legs and are able to absorb shock and recycle energy as the machine moves around, the BBC reports.

Big Dog is powered by an engine which drives a hydraulic pump to send oil under high pressure around its plumbing in order to animate its limbs. (Monitoring Desk)