I can see where this is going. Make it a bit bigger... Straighten out the legs... Add Lasers to the front... Wipe out the rebel base on Hoth...

SOOOoooooo AWESOME!

I'm not sure why this is so new.
6-legged Timberjack Walking machines have been around for a long time for forestry work. They use them because they do less ground damage than the normal tracked or wheeled harvesters.
(see video of one at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CD2V8GFqk_Y)
They're kind of cool.

Although the post-apocalyptic setting offered plenty of drama, it was quite notable that the Mantis was only shown to crawl as a breathtakingly slow pace on perfectly level and flat terrain. Ironically, a mantis only uses 4 legs to ambulate, so even the name is sort of wrong here.

@sk8dad. So build something better!!! PLEASE! and you can even pick your own name!

From the nothing new department. The John Deere Walking Forest Machine was a prototype built and run in 1994 and currently sits on display in Moline IL.
It probably never went into production because they did not have the portable computing power that is now available, to automate most of the functions.

This is fantastic! Great work Matt!
Now when can I order one of those giant robots from Pacific Rim? :)

@Evildeer, that Timberjack walking machine looks designed for two dimension space, not three. No agility.
This is different...and I might say...a similar device has been on my drawing board. Ant's have very nimble legs with 5 joints, which would be superior on rough terrain and a forked claw for holding onto.
I have the a double Rexroth flow and pressure compensated pump(s) for operating two leg circuits, operating in sets of three in contact with the ground at all times. Rapid and precise movement, coordinated in 3d space is a challenge that can be overcome with computers and hydraulics today. I hope a couple sets of large cartridge valve banks are in my future.
The above is a great advancement in the technology and I hope to see more of it.

That's not new tech at all. Those arms/legs are from construction equipment vehicles. paint it grey and tadaa. If it was going to be special, first off, it needs to be fast with the ability to climb since it has legs and grasp, anyway..

Give the project a "A+" for presentation! But the demonstration left a lot to be desired.