Megatron and Optimus Prime are gone! Swiss engineers have designed a four-wheeled robot which can roll on its hind feet and perform tricks like a poodle.
Developed by ETH Zürich spin-off Swiss-Mile, the agile bot that can reach speeds of up to 14 mph (23 kph) is the latest iteration of the ‘ANYMal’ robot concept.
The design — which superficially resembles Boston Dynamics’ robot dog, Spot — has previously been shown using its AI to get back up after being kicked over.
A new video shows the robot performing its standing feat, as well as wheeling around and making ascending and descending steps.
Megatron and Optimus Prime are gone! Swiss engineers have designed a four-wheeled robot which can be repositioned on its hind feet and spun like a performer poodle.
‘It’s a car, quadruped, and humanoid!’ explained roboticist and ANYmal developer Marko Bjelonic of ETH Zürich.
“Our robot-wheeled friend performs extraordinary locomotion with reinforcement learning driving at speeds up to 6.2 M/s (22.32 km/h, 13.87 mi/h), overcoming obstacles and standing on its own two feet.
Swiss-Mile says their ANYMal robot can be applied in so-called last mile’ deliveries.
This refers to the movement of goods between a large-scale transport hub and a recipient at a particular destination.
‘With both legs and wheels, our robot outperforms state-of-the-art wheeled delivery platforms as well as lightweight delivery drones,’ Dr Bjelonic added.
AnyMal claims to be up to 83 percent more efficient that comparable robotic legs.
Swiss-Mile said that the robot can support a maximum weight of 110 pounds.
It’s the only method that can carry tools, materials and goods long distances without sacrificing speed or energy, as well as overcoming difficult obstacles such stairs and steps.
Anymal’s design allows for seamless navigation both indoors and outdoors, according to he.
Developed by ETH Zürich spin-off Swiss-Mile, the automaton (pictured here on the road) that can reach speeds of up to 14 mph (23 kph) is the latest iteration of the ‘ANYMal’ concept
The urban population [ratio] is 74 per cent in Switzerland and 56 per cent worldwide,’ Swiss-Mile explained on their website.
“This percentage will rise even further in the future and requires smart solutions to make cities more liveable.
‘With this growth, more goods are being moved from place to place than ever before,’ they continued — leading, they noted, to an increase in carbon dioxide emissions and traffic congestion unless better solutions can be developed.
They concluded that “This last-mile delivery challenge calls for small-scale electric and autonomous solutions,” just like ANYMal.
‘It’s a car, quadruped, and humanoid!’ explained roboticist and ANYmal developer Marko Bjelonic of ETH Zürich. Pictured: ANYMal is a spiritual successor to Optimus Prime (pictured), and the other Transformers in the animated cartoon/film/toy franchise. Many of these Transformers could switch between being vehicles and humanoid characters and back again.