Quadruped

We've seen robot dogs run up hills with luggage, and help fight fire. Now, researchers in Switzerland are putting these mechanical mutts through their paces on the badminton court, teaching them to play about as well as a seven-year-old human.

Though robodogs are available for consumer purchase, most will be deployed to industry and research and maybe even security or rescue. Unitree's latest intrepid quadruped is tough, durable, fast and agile, and is ready for action.

Robodog climbs chimneys while flexing its spine like it's got something to prove. Tokyo’s KLEIYN is ready to send a V5 – probably while hauling your gear and wishing it had fingers to show you how to really campus.

"That is so cool! But what do you do with it?" Those are the two things that just about everyone says upon seeing my Unitree Go2 Pro robot for the first time. The latter is a hard question to answer, as the bot is kind of a tool and kind of a toy.

Quadruped "robot dogs" may move quite a bit like their canine counterparts on land, but they're not nearly as good at swimming (although some can walk underwater). Such is not the case with a new mini-dog-bot, however, which is an expert at doing the dog-paddle.

Unitree has launched a modified version of its B2 quadruped aimed at putting out fires. Able to host various use-specific modules, the robodog hauls a powerful water cannon high-flow and can operate in extreme environments.

Ground-going delivery robots are already streamlining operations in various industries, but they typically still have to be loaded and unloaded by humans. That's where the LEVA bot comes in, as it can autonomously lift and drop off cargo boxes.

We've seen the Lynx robodog from Deep Robotics perform some incredibly athletic feats since launching last year, such as bounding over extreme terrain and chilling in snow. Now the company has debuted a rugged version for industrial use.

Following a thrill-packed pre-launch for its Lynx robodog last year, where the wheeled wonder was seen speeding through fair-weather wilderness, Deep Robotics has hit the slopes to prove its all-weather mettle – with impressive acrobatic style.

Two new videos from Chinese companies make it clear: it'll soon be no use trying to run from robots. Rapid upgrades in speed and agility mean robot dogs can now sprint at near-Olympic pace, and humanoids are running smoothly over tough terrain.

China's DEEP Robotics is about to add a new quadruped to its kennel called the Lynx. But rather than go for walkies on pads, the mid-sized pup rolls on four wheels and is built for all-terrain shenanigans – as you can see in the pre-launch promo.

From fire-breathers to sprinters, climbers and gymnasts, we've seen more than our fair share of impressive quadruped robots. Now the fourth-generation Honey Badger has added underwater walkies to the list of robodog capabilities.