RAI
The Robotics and AI Institute (RAI) has released a new video of its Roadrunner robot. Despite having no torso, the two-legged machine impresses by rolling, stomping, climbing stairs, and even performing tricks on just one leg.
Founded in 2022 with a US$400-million investment from Hyundai Motor Group, the Robotics and AI Institute (RAI) is led by Marc Raibert, the founder and current chairman of Boston Dynamics. Known for groundbreaking machines like the acrobatic Atlas and the dog-like Spot—which gained widespread attention after appearing on America’s Got Talent—the company has set a high bar in robotics.
Roadrunner delivers Boston Dynamics–level agility in a compact design
Given Raibert’s background and the agility of Boston Dynamics’ robots, it’s hardly surprising that RAI’s Roadrunner, showcased in a newly released video, demonstrates similarly impressive capabilities.
Weighing just 15 kg (33 lb), Roadrunner is essentially a pair of robotic legs mounted on two wheels—but they’re remarkably capable. It can move with the wheels side by side or in an inline setup, with one wheel behind the other. It even handles stairs, either rolling over them or locking its legs to stomp up and down with surprising force.
The robot can also balance on a single wheel and change direction by simply bending its “knees” the opposite way. According to the Robotics and AI Institute, its fully symmetrical legs allow the knees to face forward or backward, helping it navigate obstacles and adapt its movements.
For now, Roadrunner is mainly a proof of concept rather than a practical machine. Still, it’s easy to imagine how much more capable it could become once equipped with a torso and advanced AI decision-making.
Read the original article on: New Atlas
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