As many of you may know the “Robot Apocalypse” has been a running joke on the Interwebs for a few years now. However, it is said, within every joke is a grain of truth.

Some of you may remember Boston Dynamics and their BigDog Quadruped.

You may also remember how creepy it was. Well, get ready for something even more creepy.

Boston Dynamics is now testing a bipedal monstrosity they call “PETMAN”.

Of course it’s genius and of course it’s very cool but does this company always have to make their designs look and act soooo creepy?

Here’s the story and accompanying creepy video, straight from the Boston Dynamics website:

PETMAN – BigDog gets a Big Brother

PETMAN is an anthropomorphic robot for testing chemical protection clothing. Unlike previous suit testers, which had to be supported mechanically and had a limited repertoire of motion, PETMAN will balance itself and move freely; walking, crawling and doing a variety of suit-stressing calisthenics during exposure to chemical warfare agents. PETMAN will also simulate human physiology within the protective suit by controlling temperature, humidity and sweating when necessary, all to provide realistic test conditions.

Natural, agile movement is essential for PETMAN to simulate how a soldier stresses protective clothing under realistic conditions. The robot will have the shape and size of a standard human, making it the first anthropomorphic robot that moves dynamically like a real person.

The development program has a 13 month design phase followed by a 17 month build, installation and validation phase, with delivery of the robot taking place in 2011. Boston Dynamics’ partners for the program are Midwest Research Institute (MRI), Measurement Technologies Northwest, Smith Carter CUH2A (SCC), and HHI Corporation.

Source: Boston Dynamics

Now we all know that the dream of every nerdy developer is to design the perfect Android who will then provide hours and hours, or minutes and minutes (depending on who the developer is) of *wink* *wink*.

Of course, everyone knows that with all ecstasy, the inevitable tragedy is not long after. That’s where the Androids take over and kill us all in the Robot Apocalypse.

Oh well, at least those who have the money will get some valued humina, humina time in before the end comes.

By the way, you can track all the goings on of the Robot Revolution at Android World.

Thanks Shawn!