MIT Cheetah Robot Can Leap Over Barriers While Running (VIDEO)

First Posted: Jun 01, 2015 08:21 AM EDT

Imagine a robot that not only moves like a cheetah, but can also jump like one. MIT researchers have created a robotic cheetah that can jump over hurdles as it runs, making it the first ever four-legged robot to run and jump over obstacles autonomously.

The robot has the ability to plan out its path, much like a human runner. As it detects an approaching obstacle, it estimates the object's height and distance. Then, the robot gauges the best position from which to jump and adjusts its stride to land just short of the obstacle before exerting enough force to push up and over. The robot then applies a certain amount of force to land safely before resuming its initial pace.

"A running jump is a truly dynamic behavior," said Sangbae Kim, one of the researchers, in a news release. "You have to manage balance and energy, and be able to handle impact after landing. Our robot is specifically designed for those highly dynamic behaviors."

The researchers tested the robot on a treadmill and an indoor track. They found that the robot successfully cleared obstacles up to 18 inches tall, which is more than half of the robot's own height. The robot was also able to maintain an average running speed of about 5 miles per hour. The robot can also "see" with the help of the onboard LIDAR, a visual system that uses reflections from a laser to map terrain.

The new robot is important as researchers continue their studies into the specifics of movement in robotics.

Want to see the robot in action for yourself? Check out the video below, courtesy of YouTube.

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