Technology
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A group of researchers at Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology's (KAIST) MSC Lab have developed a velociraptor-like bipedal robot that is able to run at top speeds of 46 km/h (28.5 mph), which would outpace world record holder Usain Bolt, who maxes out at 44.7 km/h (27.4 mph).
The rest of this article is behind a paywall. Please sign in or subscribe to access the full content.If you’re worried about a gigantic robot coming after you that is fast enough to run and find you wherever you may hide, don’t be. Though the mistakes about dinosaurs in Jurassic Park were both obvious and varied, one of the most egregious was the depiction of the velociraptor. The clever girl showed in the movie was about 6 feet tall, but the actual dinosaur was about the size of a chicken. The robot’s size is based on the dinosaur’s actual measurements.
The velociraptor was chosen for the inspiration for the design of the robot, due to the dinosaur’s speed, agility, and body plan. It utilizes composite legs in a hook shape to help the robot spring off of the ground. This plan gives it an edge over the WildCat robot designed by Boston Dynamics, which is based on the body plan of a cheetah. The WildCat runs up to 26 km/h (16 mph) which is slightly slower than the velociraptor robot, though the WildCat has the technological advantage of being untethered.
Currently, the velociraptor robot needs to be tethered for balance purposes and to receive power. It will likely lose a bit of its speed when it is developed into a free-standing model.
Ready to see this guy in action? Check it out:
[Hat tip: Michelle Starr, CNET]
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