This video shows a demonstration of the "Cheetah" robot galloping at speeds of up to 18 miles per hour (mph), setting a new land speed record for legged robots. The previous record was 13.1 mph, set in 1989.
The robot's movements are patterned after those of fast-running animals in nature. The robot increases its stride and running speed by flexing and un-flexing its back on each step, much as an actual cheetah does.
The current version of the Cheetah robot runs on a laboratory treadmill where it is powered by an off-board hydraulic pump, and uses a boom-like device to keep it running in the center of the treadmill. Testing of a free-running prototype is planned for later this year.
While the M3 program conducts basic research and is not focused on specific military missions, the technology it aims to develop could have a wide range of potential military applications.
The DARPA M3 performer for Cheetah is Boston Dynamics of Waltham, Mass. Read more about DARPA's M3 program at
http://www.darpa.mil/Our_Work/DSO/Programs/Maximum_Mobility_and_Manipulation_
10 Comments
ravermanAs scary as i find the idea of being chased down and torn to shreds by a robot saber-tooth...
...I still don't think it would win Robot wars.
ChaosEngine>> ^raverman:
As scary as i find the idea of being chased down and torn to shreds by a robot saber-tooth...
...I still don't think it would win Robot wars.
Hmmm, apparently a sprinter could outrun it over a short distance, but it would eventually catch them. The rest of us are fucked. Time to break out the EMP!
TheFreakI love the scythes for feet. This will one day be how I commute to work.
BoneRemakehahahahahahahhaa. Its hilarious on my end because the first 20 seconds I am wondering why it is running backwards, my brain never clued into the fact the camera was on the left side.
Ahhh... good stuff
notarobot@raverman,
If the robots win, we'll have to listen to techno.
therealblankmanJesus. Sarah Connor is doomed.
freernutssays...http://images.wikia.com/gearsofwar/images/4/43/Ticker_figure.jpg
ravermanSkrillex sounds so much like a modem connecting - i think they already have.>> ^notarobot:
@raverman,
If the robots win, we'll have to listen to techno.
Porksandwichsays...Most horses can probably outrun it's max speed with a rider. So just make sure the horses don't get wiped out in the robot uprising.
SlipperyJimsays...KILL IT! Kill it before it gets loose!
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