DARPA Cheetah Sets Speed Record for Legged Robots

This video shows a demonstration of the "Cheetah" robot galloping at speeds of up to 18 miles per hour (mph), setting a new land speed record for legged robots. The previous record was 13.1 mph, set in 1989.

The robot's movements are patterned after those of fast-running animals in nature. The robot increases its stride and running speed by flexing and un-flexing its back on each step, much as an actual cheetah does.

The current version of the Cheetah robot runs on a laboratory treadmill where it is powered by an off-board hydraulic pump, and uses a boom-like device to keep it running in the center of the treadmill. Testing of a free-running prototype is planned for later this year.

While the M3 program conducts basic research and is not focused on specific military missions, the technology it aims to develop could have a wide range of potential military applications.

The DARPA M3 performer for Cheetah is Boston Dynamics of Waltham, Mass. Read more about DARPA's M3 program at http://www.darpa.mil/Our_Work/DSO/Pro...

• Category

  Science & Technology

[durden91tyler]

now just picture it with guns and SPRINTING at you

[mykovn]

Is this going to be used by the military once Obama starts the 2nd civil war?

[Sandy Wiecking]

There's a difference between knowing the turnings of the world and paranoia. You're crossing the line, here.

[Sandy Wiecking]

Holy shit, do I need to start the "LOL UR UNORIGINAL" argument again? That one never wins. And what's wrong with rainbows flying out of my ass?

[SmokingSnake1337]

METAL... GEAR?!

[DaRealN8Doogie]

Now, they just need to find a way to make it turn

[LongMasterWolf]

Bad troll, 2/10, would not read again.

[unicornstasher]

stupid naive bitch what makes you think Im a man anyway lmao, people w/bunkers have their shit together much better than me and way better than u. u probably live in a world where rainbows and butterflies fly out of ur ass daily. Meaning, u live a sheltered yuppy ass existence and believe that the govmt loves u and is making something u cant run from just to give u some exercise, or better yet, to protect you. Get real, and would it have killed you to be original in response. why do some try

[Sandy Wiecking]

Hm. Wonder how well it handles terrain. Next Mars rover, anyone?

[Sandy Wiecking]

Someone escort this man back to the bunker, please.

[Thorralf83]

some peoples fantasy is so limited that if they see a robot, they only think about war.

[Dregoro]

Quite fast, and this is one year old video...