Only at MIT would they build a robot that emulates the movements of a cheetah. The engineers and inventors at the esteemed technical institute have developed an algorithm that allows a robotic cheetah to run and jump on its own, with speeds recorded as high 10 mph with an estimated potential of 30 mph. It can reach heights up to 33 centimeters.
According to MIT, the cheetah is “a sleek, four-legged assemblage of gears, batteries, and electric motors that weighs about as much as its feline counterpart.”
The algorithm works through the robot’s legs, exerting a certain amount of force from its limbs that propel it forward and allow it to leap over obstacles while maintaining a certain speed. By focusing on how to increase the amount of force, in tandem with “a custom-designed, high-torque-density electric motor,” researchers are confident they’ll be able to further master the likeness of the animal. This marks a break from the traditional robotic use of internal combustion engines and hydraulic transmissions.
But why? Why bother building a mechanical version of the fastest land animal in the world? The answer lies in the future of prosthetics and mass transit.
“We can even make new transportation, replacing cars so that you don’t need the road in our world,” said Sangbae Kim, an associate professor of mechanical engineering at MIT, in a news release.
Design is also a major component here. After all, in order to emulate a cheetah, the robot must have a similar stride and form.
“Once I know how long my leg is on the ground and how long my body is in the air, I know how much force I need to apply to compensate for the gravitational force,” added Kim. “Now we’re able to control bounding at many speeds. And to jump, we can, say, triple the force, as it jumps over obstacles.”
MIT personnel aren’t the first to foray into the animatronic game. Boston Dynamics also built a robotic animal, though they consider theirs more of a dog than a large predatory cat. They’ve also developed a ping-pong master arm which could probably take you anytime, anywhere.
Kim and his colleagues plan to present their research and algorithm at the EEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems in Chicago, which kicked off on Sunday, September 14, and will last until Thursday, September 18.
Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story may have led some readers to believe Kim’s quotes came from an interview. They were from a statement released by MIT.
