One Small Step For Man, One Giant Backflip For Robotics

The next step in humanoid robotics is here, and it's named ACHIRES. Designed by the Ishikawa Watanabe Laboratory, the "Actively Coordinated High-Speed Image-Processing Running Experiment System" takes advantage of modern video analysis programs to efficiently run on two feet without falling. Able to reach speeds over 2.5 miles per hour on its 14 centimeter legs, this bipedal bot even has the ability to kick a breakdance-esque back flip.

Much like the cooperative robot swarm we covered last month, ACHIRES is a model that will be used to unlock the potential of its own form. Already more efficient than the "computationally expensive ZMP-based control commonly used for balance,"according to the video description, the current iteration's sensory observation system is can only bode well for the future of creative robotics. As cheaper and more efficient robots open the door to truly creative uses for them, if the Ishikawa Watanabe Laboratory's first tests are any indication, it looks like the robot revolution is going to trudge forward on two feet.

Below, images from the Ishikawa Watanabe Laboratory explain how ACHIRES's movement works:

Check out more of the Ishikawa Watanabe Laboratory's other achievements—including their rock-paper-scissors bot—over on their website. h/t Adafruit

Related:

Watch A Paper Robot Fold Itself Into Existence…And Walk Away

Watch An Autonomous Robot Swarm Form 2D Starfishes

Robot Film "Construct" Could Change Everything You Know About CGI

Heart Bot Turns Heartbeats Into Personalized Illustrations