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Cat-like Robot Runs Like the Wind

Posted by Soulskill on from the played-by-peter-weller's-cat dept.

DeviceGuru writes "Researchers at the Biorob lab at Switzerland's École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), have announced a cat-like robot that is claimed to be the fastest quadruped robot under 30 kilograms. The Cheetah-cub Robot, which runs real-time Xenomai Linux on an x86-based RoBoard robot control board, mimics the biomechanics of a cat to increase the speed and stability of it quadroped legs, helping it achieve speeds of 1.42m/s. The goal of the still-early-stage project is to encourage research in biomechanics, with an aim toward building faster robots for search and rescue, or ground exploration. More info is available on EPFL's Cheetah page."

6 of 69 comments (clear)

  1. ...for suitable values of wind, I suppose by KNicolson · · Score: 5, Informative

    1.42 metres per second is 5.11 kph / 3.18 mph, or Force One on the Beaufort scale, which Wikipedia tells me means "Smoke drift indicates wind direction. Leaves and wind vanes are stationary."

    1. Re:...for suitable values of wind, I suppose by eggstasy · · Score: 3, Informative

      It also fails to "run like a cat" as advertised. The leg movement is similar to a fast walk, a four-beat movement. But running (galloping) is something that quadrupeds do differently, a two-beat movement, like a series of jumps, where they alternate between the hind and fore legs in pairs.

    2. Re:...for suitable values of wind, I suppose by somersault · · Score: 3, Informative

      If you examine it's gait, it's just walking quickly. Almost jogging perhaps. It certainly looks nothing like quadrupeds do when they're actually running.

      --
      which is totally what she said
  2. Re:Ok by mjwx · · Score: 5, Funny

    Look, I'm not going to believe it's a cat like robot until it can lay around for 18 hours of the day and lick it's own arse.

    --
    Calling someone a "hater" only means you can not rationally rebut their argument.
  3. Re:1.4m/s is not much of a wind by wonkey_monkey · · Score: 4, Funny

    Purrma Shave?

    --
    systemd is Roko's Basilisk.
  4. That would be a creepy thing to see in war... by Ogi_UnixNut · · Score: 4, Insightful

    ... while in its current form it is slow and in need to be tethered, I see no reason for that to stay that way as technology advances.

    Imagining that one day tech improves to the point when these things are as fast and nimble as a cat, and can last at least a few days in power, you could stick explosives on them and have them track targets. Or have them stay hidden then lunge at high speed when someone gets too close.

    Like a mine that will chase after you before it explodes. Considering how fast my cat can run, and how nimble it is, in future these things could be quite terrifying, especially if they are released in large batches. Probably the only weapon that may save you is a shotgun (short of some futuristic, directed, hand held, EMP cannon).

    Makes me imagine of the head crabs in half life, or the replicators in stargate.