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Toyota Running Robot, Humanoid But Creepy
Toyota has been working hard on their running robots. Take a look at the video below; the robot takes a stride every 340 ms and actually breaks contact with the ground for about 100 ms each time.
(Toyota running robot video)
Toyota’s most recent humanoid robot prototype (one of many partner robots the automotive giant is developing) stands 130cm tall and weighs 50Kgr. Its legs have 7 degrees of freedom and it can run at an average speed of 7 km/h. In contrast, ASIMO’s maximum speed is 6km/h. The Toyota researchers had to develop new real-time methods for balance control. These methods make it possible for the robot to remain balanced when an external force such as a push from a human is applied when in motion.
I'm a little bit concerned about the way that this robot is being pushed around at the start of the clip. Who cares about fast running, possibly irritated robots?
John Connor, that's who. Remember that scene from Terminator 2 when the T1000 runs down a speeding police car?
It's only a matter of time.
Via Smart Machines. Thanks to Moira for the tip and story reference.
Scroll down for more stories in the same category. (Story submitted 7/31/2009)
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Technovelgy (that's tech-novel-gee!) is devoted to the creative science inventions and ideas of sf authors. Look for the Invention Category that interests you, the Glossary, the Invention Timeline, or see what's New.
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