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AI & Humanoids

Quadruped CHEETAH robot to outrun any human

By Ben Coxworth
March 03, 2011
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Robotics company Boston Dynamics has been awarded a contract to develop a military quadruped cheetah-like robot, capable of running faster than any human (Image: Boston Dynamics)
ATLAS will share technology with the previously developed PETMAN robot, seen here (Photo: Boston Dynamics)
Robotics company Boston Dynamics has been awarded a contract to develop a military quadruped cheetah-like robot, capable of running faster than any human (Image: Boston Dynamics)

It would be scary to be chased by a military robot. It would also be scary to be chased by a cheetah. So, imagine what it would be like to have a military robotic cheetah sprinting after you. Such a scenario could one day be possible, as robotics company Boston Dynamics recently announced that America's Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has awarded it a contract to design and build such a ... critter. The contract also includes the creation of an agile, bipedal humanoid robot. It's hard to say which one might ultimately be creepier.

The CHEETAH robot will reportedly have four legs, a flexible spine, an articulated head/neck, and perhaps a tail. It will be able to run faster than any existing legged robot or human runner, make tight, zig-zagging turns in order to chase or evade, be able to accelerate very rapidly from a standstill, and stop just as quickly.

The other robot, ATLAS, "will walk like a man, using a heel-to-toe walking motion, long strides and dynamic transfer of weight on each step," according to Boston Dynamics VP of Engineering Rob Playter. It will have a torso, two legs and two arms, although spookily enough, there's no mention of a head. It will be able to turn sideways to squeeze through narrow passages, and use its hands for balance and support on rough terrain.

ATLAS will share technology with the previously developed PETMAN robot, seen here (Photo: Boston Dynamics)

The machine will incorporate some of the advanced behaviors already used in PETMAN (pictured above), another anthropomorphic robot that the company previously developed for the US Army. Both CHEETAH and ATLAS will also build upon control software and mechanical and electrical systems designed for PETMAN, and for the company's quadruped pack horse-like BigDog military robot.

While the exact purpose of either robot hasn't been stated, Boston Dynamics did say that "In addition to military applications, such robots can be used in civil and commercial applications such as emergency response, firefighting, advanced agriculture and vehicular travel in places that are inaccessible to conventional wheeled and tracked vehicles."

Via Next Big Future

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AI & HumanoidsDARPABoston DynamicsRoboticsBiomimicryHumanoidQuadrupedUS Army
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Ben Coxworth
Based out of Edmonton, Canada, Ben Coxworth has been writing for New Atlas since 2009 and is presently Managing Editor for North America. An experienced freelance writer, he previously obtained an English BA from the University of Saskatchewan, then spent over 20 years working in various markets as a television reporter, producer and news videographer. Ben is particularly interested in scientific innovation, human-powered transportation, and the marine environment.
18 comments
Kate Bazilevsky
Catalog of human population researchers found that humans are biorobots. Every human subtype structure has its own program and 3 manipulation modes. Any manipulation mode is someone\'s individual program.
Will, the tink
A cheetah without a tail is a cheetah with a disadvantage. They use that tail as a counter-balance when running, to make quicker turns, and even to stop. That lets me know that the designers of this robot are not really serious about this plus no mention of what tools they use when they catch up to the \"target\". No teeth, no claws, no guns, no explosives? Maybe it\'s just supposed to scare them to death or maybe tag them with a beacon so a bigger robot can find them or perhaps a smart bullet can find them instead? The whole idea behind a robot (at least a military one) is to save lives. Wouldn\'t a flying drone be a better platform? Faster, and could deliver that smart bullet or very small rocket! If it ever comes to that, friendlies better have a special identifier so robot doesn\'t make a mistake, errr excuse me, make a program error!
kirsplat
\"That tail as a counter-balance when running, to make quicker turns, and even to stop. That lets me know that the designers of this robot are not really serious\"
OK, Will - let\'s get this straight - the concept rendering has a tail. The article mentions the robot possibly having a tail. Boston Dynamics is a multi-million dollar robotics company.
But because the article uses the word \'perhaps\', which is not a direct quote from anyone at BD, you\'ve decided the designers aren\'t serious about this? And maybe they don\'t mention the offensive capabilities because they either aren\'t allowed to discuss those aspects or it\'s not in scope for this iteration or they just haven\'t friggin decided yet!
Oh yeah, and we already have flying drones btw so maybe there\'s a different motivation for this design than aerial. How\'s the drone going to be at dragging somebody\'s ass out of a fire?
Wow, nice \"logic\"...
Stuart Halliday
Since when can any mobile computer calculate in real-time and in 3D rough terrain and coordinate 4 limbs to run 1 MPH let alone ~20 MPH that a man can run?
G Andrew Stone
@Katia: Exactly the opposite. Very likely you can read \"perhaps\" as the army doesn\'t require it, but Boston Dynamics put it in the contract because they think it might be needed. Esp since the paragraph in question has a slightly different tone than the rest of the article -- likely it is cut directly from BD PR.
Wesley Bruce
\'Will, the tink\' your correct the tail is needed but Boston dynamics will also be considering the bob cat. That\'s tail less and has the same agility but not the speed. The weapons load out will be up to others. Vehicle designers do the same thing. The weapons mounts are generic and any weapon of a given weight and recoil will fit. The cheetah will probably be used to pre-place sensors and run optic fibres. It will run ammo and supplies across dangerous areas covered by enemy fire. Dogs were used in that function in WW1. It works. If eventually it is armed it will probably get a head mounted pistol or hip mounted tank like smoke launchers.
Hung Nguyen
How does this robot get up if it falls over on the side?
Reece Agland
OK I\'m a nerd but seriously doesn\'t ths remind anyone of Ravage from the Transformers?
Also agree with the comments of how does it get up if it falls on its side?
Brian Callender
@Hung Nguyen \"How does this robot get up if it falls over on the side?\" well when I was 5 I had a toy car that was self righting so I dont see this being a problem for a multi million dollar robot.
kalqlate
@Will, the tink - Nature evolved cheetahs such that the tail is used for stabilization. Nature evolved humans with a big brain that allows them to find many solutions to the same problem, most of which don\'t resemble nature at all. Nature hadn\'t yet *thought of* using a gyroscope or sliding weights in the hindquarters. There ya go... two quick solutions that keep all of the parts internal while doing the job as or more efficiently than a tail...

A MUCH MORE COMPLICATED TAIL ...instead of an easy, tried and true gyroscope and/or actuated sliding weights solution? Now I know that you are not really serious about designing most simplistically, efficiently, durably, unobtrusively and cost-effectively.

Nature has come up with optimal designs per its meandering evolutionary course. However, that doesn\'t mean that they are optimal compared to other designs conceived OUTSIDE of that meandering path. Though humans are part of nature, we evolved to accelerate, extend, and even replace nature\'s designs in novel ways.
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