Jalopnik Drives Real Live Tank By Remote Control, Can Now Die Happy - Jalopnik Comments

Jalopnik Drives Real Live Tank By Remote Control, Can Now Die Happy

SavannahJack — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 11:37:09 EDT

@sierran: Yeah, and no Hellbore, either. Still, I for one welcome this early model of our future robot overlords and wish them only victory and good maintenance.

SavannahJack

Jalopnik Drives Real Live Tank By Remote Control, Can Now Die Happy

gadgetfanatic — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 18:42:02 EDT

@Pope Dearthair the Awesometh:I'd actually pay to see that.

gadgetfanatic

Jalopnik Drives Real Live Tank By Remote Control, Can Now Die Happy

Turboner — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 23:07:00 EDT

The Black Knight yields for no man!

Turboner

Jalopnik Drives Real Live Tank By Remote Control, Can Now Die Happy

Ray Wert — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 12:07:29 EDT

@Scroggzilla: I'd buy THAT for a dollar!

Ray Wert

Jalopnik Drives Real Live Tank By Remote Control, Can Now Die Happy

Scroggzilla Raids Again! — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 09:52:02 EDT

Not as good as Omni Consumer Products' new ED-209, but close.

Scroggzilla Raids Again!

Jalopnik Drives Real Live Tank By Remote Control, Can Now Die Happy

thunder — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 23:09:10 EDT

So, what are the skidpad and 0-60 numbers on this bad boy?

thunder

Jalopnik Drives Real Live Tank By Remote Control, Can Now Die Happy

Schm is not particularly sure what he is ranting about. . . — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 22:49:46 EDT

@DoctorNine: How about depreciation? And can i get it in Barolo Red or Iridium Sliver Metalic? What kind of dealership experience are consumers going to recieve?

Point is that when people buy cars, they should buy what they feel, and pay less attention to bollucks like taht. Its a car not an appliance (im looking at you toyota) Follow your heart, and if that heart leads to a Maliese Era Jaguar, so be it!

Schm is not particularly sure what he is ranting about. . .

Jalopnik Drives Real Live Tank By Remote Control, Can Now Die Happy

gadgetfanatic — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 22:33:46 EDT

I'd like to see it actually destroy something.

gadgetfanatic

Jalopnik Drives Real Live Tank By Remote Control, Can Now Die Happy

smokyburnout — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 20:30:38 EDT

i've got an RC car with a cannon on it, too...

...a water cannon. i think it's got a busted halfshaft, though. and it overheats a bit.

wanna trade?

smokyburnout

Jalopnik Drives Real Live Tank By Remote Control, Can Now Die Happy

DoctorNineTenths — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 20:28:04 EDT

Well Consumer Reports just called and asked about the city versus highway mileage numbers. What kind of journalism is this, anyway? I want details.

DoctorNineTenths

Jalopnik Drives Real Live Tank By Remote Control, Can Now Die Happy

corhou99 — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 20:15:18 EDT

so i am taking it you liked driving a "ROBOT FREAKING TANK"? All i want to know is where i can get one to ride interferance on the 405/605 for me....

open a hole in traffic? coming right up sir...

corhou99

Jalopnik Drives Real Live Tank By Remote Control, Can Now Die Happy

BeerDearthair — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 19:27:22 EDT

"...and now it's time to see how fast it goes around our track, and that means turning it over to our tame racing driver. Some say... that the technology for this robot tank was directly copied from the inside of his helmet. And that he too was originally equipped with tracks, but those were swapped out to make it easier for him to get up and down ladders. All we know is, he's called The Stig."

BeerDearthair

Jalopnik Drives Real Live Tank By Remote Control, Can Now Die Happy

akirachan — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 19:06:37 EDT

I think everything that needed to be said has been said...
I'm jealous! And the brakes work pretty awesome, don't it?

akirachan

Jalopnik Drives Real Live Tank By Remote Control, Can Now Die Happy

NovaloadMissesPolar — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 18:58:14 EDT

Where's the Jolly Roger on the antenna mast?

NovaloadMissesPolar

Jalopnik Drives Real Live Tank By Remote Control, Can Now Die Happy

hootjigga — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 18:48:33 EDT

Ok, so really, what did you drive again?

hootjigga

Jalopnik Drives Real Live Tank By Remote Control, Can Now Die Happy

Bee1 — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 18:36:41 EDT

@vwminispeedster: One does not destroy ones own city.

Bee1

Jalopnik Drives Real Live Tank By Remote Control, Can Now Die Happy

SSX — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 18:20:08 EDT

Suitability Parameters:
Speed Merchants: No
Fashion Victims: No
Treehuggers: No
Mack Daddies: No
Tuner Crowd: No
Hairdressers: No
Penny Pinchers: No
Euro Snobs: No
Working Stiffs: No
Technogeeks: Yes
Poseurs: No
Soccer Moms: No
Nascar Dads: No
Golfing Grandparents: No

SSX

Jalopnik Drives Real Live Tank By Remote Control, Can Now Die Happy

Euromobile — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 17:57:32 EDT

@Tocsin: Ah, those crazy Swedes!

Okay, so we've only a few tiny niche sports car makers left and most of them use American engines. Rolls-Royce and Bentley belong to the Germans. Aston-Martin belongs to a bunch of Saudi millionaires. Land Rover and Jaguar are about to be hocked to the Indians and MG-Rover has been dismantled and sold to the Chinese.

Who cares.

Two words: BAE Systems!

Euromobile

Jalopnik Drives Real Live Tank By Remote Control, Can Now Die Happy

turbofreak — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 17:24:24 EDT

Daddy...I want this RC toy!!!

turbofreak

Jalopnik Drives Real Live Tank By Remote Control, Can Now Die Happy

Dr.Danger is in Denial — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 17:19:08 EDT

@Ben Wojdyla: Aaaah yes, cold is bad.

I understand, the New England weather is keeping me from repairs on my wife's car.

Dr.Danger is in Denial

Jalopnik Drives Real Live Tank By Remote Control, Can Now Die Happy

sierran — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 17:00:14 EDT

@SavannahJack: Heh what if this isn't all that early a Bolo model? MARK VI STUPENDOUS. You're probably right though, I don't see any infinite repeaters.

sierran

Jalopnik Drives Real Live Tank By Remote Control, Can Now Die Happy

bambam50 — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 16:57:06 EDT

I would have just drove it right into the cars. whats the fun in going in circles LOL.

bambam50

Jalopnik Drives Real Live Tank By Remote Control, Can Now Die Happy

Ben Wojdyla — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 16:55:34 EDT

@Dr.Danger: Unheated garage + brutal Michigan winter + auto show travel = no updates for another couple of weeks

@Cyclist: Sorry, Sterling Heights has a strict "No shooting 20mm cannons next to residential areas" ordinance.

Ben Wojdyla

Jalopnik Drives Real Live Tank By Remote Control, Can Now Die Happy

M0L0TOV — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 16:53:37 EDT

I think I just came on myself. Daddy wants!

M0L0TOV

Jalopnik Drives Real Live Tank By Remote Control, Can Now Die Happy

Dr.Danger is in Denial — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 16:49:51 EDT

@Ray Wert: Then I would like to see some crunch pictures please.

Dr.Danger is in Denial

Jalopnik Drives Real Live Tank By Remote Control, Can Now Die Happy

KingRoyale — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 16:41:52 EDT

Only two stars for audio?

As ol Busta Bust said in the eternal A Tribe Called Quest classic featuring Leaders of the New School, "Scenario":

'Powerful impact...BOOM! from the cannon'

I think that 20mm piece of shellshocking glory deserves 5 freakin stars thrown up in audio.

KingRoyale

Jalopnik Drives Real Live Tank By Remote Control, Can Now Die Happy

Cyclist — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 16:37:45 EDT

Cool, but did you get to fire the cannon?

Cyclist

Jalopnik Drives Real Live Tank By Remote Control, Can Now Die Happy

Bender — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 16:35:41 EDT

@GiltProto:

You suck!

Damn you for putting that song in my head.

Bender

Jalopnik Drives Real Live Tank By Remote Control, Can Now Die Happy

rgseidl — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 16:34:21 EDT

Hmm, what does this button do?

Rat-ta-ta-tat-tat...

oops, sorreee! Let me make you another child, a more beautiful one.

rgseidl

Jalopnik Drives Real Live Tank By Remote Control, Can Now Die Happy

vwminispeedster — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 16:32:59 EDT

@Bee1: The Capitol of California is Sacramento, not LA. In that case no one will really care if Sac gets 0wned by Arnie.

vwminispeedster

Jalopnik Drives Real Live Tank By Remote Control, Can Now Die Happy

Y2KGTP — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 16:25:48 EDT

Is there a training link to another remote so you really don't F it up? aka like a RC plane trainer?

Y2KGTP

Jalopnik Drives Real Live Tank By Remote Control, Can Now Die Happy

Tomsk — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 16:19:30 EDT

So THAT'S what happens when you assemble a Tamiya kit with HGH instead of glue...

Tomsk

Jalopnik Drives Real Live Tank By Remote Control, Can Now Die Happy

Morphine — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 16:18:59 EDT

"The Black Knight always triumphs!"

"I'll bite your legs off!"

Morphine

Jalopnik Drives Real Live Tank By Remote Control, Can Now Die Happy

Indiana Bento and the lost Temple of Citroens — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 16:18:09 EDT

Didn't I read about this on "ArmoredCombatVehiclopnik" last week? *A Gawker Media website*

Indiana Bento and the lost Temple of Citroens

Jalopnik Drives Real Live Tank By Remote Control, Can Now Die Happy

FЯeeMan — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 16:06:15 EDT

@GiltProto: OMG!! TWO TMBG references in one day!!!!
I <3 the Jalopnikans!

Oh yeah...
Ben drove a FREAKIN' ROBOT TANK!!!!!!!!! and, he didn't hit anything. BTW, how big are the rotors on that thing and are they ventilated? It sure does stop like it hit a brick wall. Though I thought one advantage of a tank is that it doesn't stop when hitting said brick wall...

FЯeeMan

Jalopnik Drives Real Live Tank By Remote Control, Can Now Die Happy

Elhigh — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 16:04:29 EDT

I think you were unnecessarily harsh in the handling score - it's very flat in the turns.

It does seem to dive excessively during stops, though.

ALL HAIL THE KILLWOJDYLER.

Elhigh

Jalopnik Drives Real Live Tank By Remote Control, Can Now Die Happy

eastaboga — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 16:03:20 EDT

Skynet can't really be that far off now can it? Sure, Ben, it does want you want it do for now, but before you know it, "I'm sorry, Dave. I can't allow you to do that."

OK I'm mixing my sci-fi metaphors now, is it 5:00 yet?!?!

eastaboga

Jalopnik Drives Real Live Tank By Remote Control, Can Now Die Happy

SavannahJack — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 16:02:15 EDT

I thought the early model BOLOs were required to have a human driver?

SavannahJack

Jalopnik Drives Real Live Tank By Remote Control, Can Now Die Happy

charles_barrett — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 15:58:32 EDT

It would appear that Ben was experiencing multiple extended robo-tankgasms while playing with his pendant. I hope he brought a clean pair of underwear along...

charles_barrett

Jalopnik Drives Real Live Tank By Remote Control, Can Now Die Happy

Isetta — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 15:55:01 EDT

Let's face it, we're all kids inside. I'm with j6r, they should have let you run over something.

Isetta

Jalopnik Drives Real Live Tank By Remote Control, Can Now Die Happy

j6r — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 15:50:49 EDT

That red Tempo in the background had speed bump written all over it.

j6r

Jalopnik Drives Real Live Tank By Remote Control, Can Now Die Happy

Bee1 — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 15:47:36 EDT

Arnold is getting one to drive for when gets bored sitting in his office. Lookout downtown L.A.

Bee1

Jalopnik Drives Real Live Tank By Remote Control, Can Now Die Happy

selfhatingotaku — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 15:44:12 EDT

Hmm. So thats what a sub-compact tank looks like. They could have at least given you something to drive over/through. Like a car, or those trailers, or that brick wall on the far side of the car park.
"It's the largest robot with a safety release from the US military" Makes me wonder how big the stuff without safety releases are. I'll go out on a limb and say: ZOMG THEY HAVE SECRET GIANT MECHS!

selfhatingotaku

Jalopnik Drives Real Live Tank By Remote Control, Can Now Die Happy

Ray Wert — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 15:41:55 EDT

@Dr.Danger: It's under the Robot Tank.

Ray Wert

Jalopnik Drives Real Live Tank By Remote Control, Can Now Die Happy

Tocsin — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 15:39:34 EDT

Now that is just bloody cool, only a matter of time till more of the stuff on the battlefield becomes unmanned. Good thing too.

On a somewhat related note, I think I've found a form of drifting that's far more epic than cars or even trucks:

A tank.

Tocsin

Jalopnik Drives Real Live Tank By Remote Control, Can Now Die Happy

Spence — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 15:35:50 EDT

So I take it this is part of that 200 billion dollar autonomous weapons program that the Pentagon is thinking of canceling. I know it's a cool robot tank and all, but think how many Whore Diamonds that could buy... (Sorry, I got Wonkette in my Jalopnik)

Spence

Jalopnik Drives Real Live Tank By Remote Control, Can Now Die Happy

Dr.Danger is in Denial — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 15:32:21 EDT

BTW, any more updates with that "Project '64 Continental"?

Or did you end up smashing it up in a drunken rage?

Dr.Danger is in Denial

Jalopnik Drives Real Live Tank By Remote Control, Can Now Die Happy

GiltProto — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 15:31:05 EDT

Just great. Now I've got that chirpy TMBG song in my head.

Robot Parade
Robot Parade
Here comes a robot with electric brains
Robot Parade
Robot Parade
Wave the flags that the robots made

Thanks. Thanks a lot.

GiltProto

Jalopnik Drives Real Live Tank By Remote Control, Can Now Die Happy

Teds — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 15:29:25 EDT

Does he hang out with Bonecrusher and Devastator on the Weekends?

Teds

Jalopnik Drives Real Live Tank By Remote Control, Can Now Die Happy

graverobber- Two BEER minimum — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 15:28:52 EDT

Are you going to do a "part 2" tomorrow where you ask "What does this button do?" and then blow a hole in the green dumpster?

graverobber- Two BEER minimum

Jalopnik Drives Real Live Tank By Remote Control, Can Now Die Happy

beercheck — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 15:27:52 EDT

Black?

I do not think that word means what you think it means.

beercheck

Jalopnik Drives Real Live Tank By Remote Control, Can Now Die Happy

tamoko — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 15:26:39 EDT

@BN.: Looks like it... remember it is just a test-bed.

tamoko

Jalopnik Drives Real Live Tank By Remote Control, Can Now Die Happy

TobyGanjka — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 15:25:11 EDT

@BN.: Comment on Jalopnik Drives Real Black Knight Tank By Remote Control, Can Now Die Happy No, it rotates. It's hard to see, but the armor has a half circle shape from the top. There's just about 1 inch of clearance.

TobyGanjka

Jalopnik Drives Real Live Tank By Remote Control, Can Now Die Happy

POLAЯBEEЯ — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 15:22:46 EDT

So does the remote device have more steering feel than a Corolla?

POLAЯBEEЯ

Jalopnik Drives Real Live Tank By Remote Control, Can Now Die Happy

elwood — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 15:21:32 EDT

Yeah, I think a 20mm cannon on anything gets 5 stars in the "Toys" department. Now lets see if you can get behind the wheel of an Abrams or Bradley and get us a review on those.

elwood

Jalopnik Drives Real Live Tank By Remote Control, Can Now Die Happy

OldeEnglishD misses Polar — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 15:18:36 EDT

Coolest RC car ever!

OldeEnglishD misses Polar

Jalopnik Drives Real Live Tank By Remote Control, Can Now Die Happy

Mad_Science — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 15:18:24 EDT

Oh man, so cool.

Hopefully they don't have a repeat of my favorite autonomous vehicle mishap from the 05 DARPA Grand Challenge:

Cal Tech's Robot Van had a little trouble with sensors and decided straight ahead was the best bet. Unfortunately, straight ahead was up a berm to where all the media folks were camped out.

Ben: I'd love to see/know more about how "your" tank runs in autonomous mode.

Mad_Science

Jalopnik Drives Real Live Tank By Remote Control, Can Now Die Happy

workingonyourinvoice — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 15:14:49 EDT

Now if we could just get that thing together with the Fierenzo from yesterday, it would be perfect.
And that first frame of the video is priceless.

workingonyourinvoice

Jalopnik Drives Real Live Tank By Remote Control, Can Now Die Happy

BN. — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 15:14:41 EDT

Stationary turret?

BN.

Jalopnik Drives Real Live Tank By Remote Control, Can Now Die Happy

Dr.Danger is in Denial — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 15:12:26 EDT

Nice, You should have mowed down that row of cars in the background to show its full force.

Who needs a killdozer when you can 0wn people from afar.

Dr.Danger is in Denial

Jalopnik Drives Real Live Tank By Remote Control, Can Now Die Happy

yellofury * * * * * — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 15:12:05 EDT

I was about to say this is what Killdozer needed
@Bento:

yellofury * * * * *

Jalopnik Drives Real Live Tank By Remote Control, Can Now Die Happy

tamoko — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 15:11:55 EDT

I'd like to see you take it off road,and see how it handles reallt rough terrain.

tamoko

Jalopnik Drives Real Live Tank By Remote Control, Can Now Die Happy

tamoko — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 15:10:55 EDT

It's so cute... Like a baby M1A.

tamoko

Jalopnik Drives Real Live Tank By Remote Control, Can Now Die Happy

workingonyourinvoice — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 15:10:14 EDT

So wait a minute, let me get this straight. You drove a Freakin Robot Tank?

workingonyourinvoice

Jalopnik Drives Real Live Tank By Remote Control, Can Now Die Happy

Indiana Bento and the lost Temple of Citroens — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 15:08:26 EDT

You know what I'm Thinking! ROBOT KILLDOZER!!!

Indiana Bento and the lost Temple of Citroens

Jalopnik Drives Real Live Tank By Remote Control, Can Now Die Happy

boosted-lego-wagon — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 15:07:13 EDT

"...and Tanks."

"You're welcome."

boosted-lego-wagon