[Tyler]

DARPA's 'Cheetah' record breaking legged robot
5 March 2012, 4:58 pm

     This is the first video showing the ‘Cheetah’ robot, created by Boston Dynamics under DARPA’s M3 (maximum mobility and manipulation) program. The robot broke the previous speed record for legged robots by demonstrating its ability to run at a speed of 18mph (~30km/h). The robot uses flexible legs that provide it with the fast reaction time necessary to follow the terrain at such speed and the record-breaking performance was displayed on a treadmill with the robot powered by an external hydraulic pump. The patterns used for its motion are similar to those of fast-running animals in nature. It certainly looks less imposing than the preview released before and although it is inspired by its nature analogs its legs are quite dissimilar in structure. A prosthetic leg also named 'Cheetah' performs under the same principal by flexing and un-flexing its back at every step in order to quickly react to fast running. Athletes are using it with great results. DARPA’s ‘cheetah’ is expecting to run without an external power source later this year. For more information you can read the full press release here.

Source: robots.net

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[Art]

Yeah...imagine one day in the near future that it gets loose and upon receiving an errant signal, starts chasing you with the full intent to subdue you until additional law enforcement units arrive. Run very, very fast or you will be tased! (sorry, but I don't think there's a human anywhere that can run faster then 18 mph!). Think it might listen to reason? Naw! Didn't think so!