MIT has high hopes for cheetah robot

A robotic cheetah runs on an athletic field at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge.

A robotic cheetah runs on an athletic field at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge.

Published Dec 2, 2014

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Cambridge, Massachusetts - Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have created the first battery-powered robot that can run up to 10mph (16kph), jump over a 16-inch (40-centimetre) obstacle and continue running for at least 15 minutes.

It's called the cheetah because it runs and jumps unlike any robot built before.

Researchers say insight gleaned from the prototype could have real-world applications, including in the design of prosthetics, wearable technologies and vehicles that can travel efficiently in rough terrain.

Creating the robot took five years of work and plenty of confidence to ignore those who said electric motors and batteries are not strong enough to propel an untethered mechanical beast.

The project is funded by the US military's research arm. - Sapa-AP

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