https://techcrunch.com/2024/02/09/how-to-fake-a-robotics-demo-for-fun-and-profit/

In March 2008, a roboticist in winter wear gave Big Dog a big kick f https://youtu.be/W1czBcnX1Ww?si=3-qFm7oneOOZG4xc&t=34or the camera. The buzzing DARPA-funded robot stumbled, but quickly regained its footing amid the snowy parking lot. “PLEASE DO NOT KICK THE WALKING PROTOTYPE DEATH MECH,” pleads the video’s top comment. “IT WILL REMEMBER.”

“Creepy as hell,” notes another. “Imagine if you were taking a walk in the woods one day and saw that thing coming towards you.” Gadget blogs and social media accounts variously tossed out words like “terrifying” and “robopocalypse,” in those days before Black Mirror gave the world an even more direct shorthand. Boston Dynamics had a hit. The video currently stands at 17 million views. It was the first of countless viral hits that continue to this day.