Researchers at the Institute for Human & Machine Cognition have programmed Boston Dynamics’ Atlas humanoid robot to walk over partial footholds thanks to a new balancing algorithm. Essentially this means that it can handle rougher terrain as it chases humans down to put them in human zoos a few years from now.
Seriously though, the improved balance lets the bipedal robot balance on edges that only make contact with part of its feet. The machine can also take quick steps over footholds that only make a single point of contact. This is a big step for the robot. Pun intended.
This could be great for sending the robot into disaster areas or just really rough terrain. On the other hand, if it keeps learning tricks like this there will be no escaping this robot for future humans.
[via Laughing Squid]
