Robot Cheetah Jumps a Hurdle, Heralds the Robo-Pocalypse

Thanks to the minds at MIT’s Biomimetic Robotics Lab, the Cheetah 2 robot can now autonomously jump over obstacles with alarming dexterity. As demonstrated in MIT’s video of the technological triumph, the automated feline first gathers information through 2D laser distance sensors and, detecting an object, readjusts its mechanical stride to position for a spring. With a second algorithm, it then selects the proper leg movements and takes a well-calculated leap of faith up and over the obstacle. Equipped with these newly developed real-time tools, the beast has successfully performed these feats with and without a harness, galloping down gangways at a startling rate, with only slightly less grace than its IRL cat counterpart.

According to the video, the highest Cheetah 2 has yet leaped is 40cm, but as we’ve seen from it’s startling progress from bounding to vaulting, this cat is quick to learn—which means the time to stop putting off fixing that backyard fence is now.

Click here to learn more about Cheetah 2.

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