Tokyo University’s ISI Lab has been working on a robot that can actually run, ever since 2007. Called the Athlete Robot, it’s slightly different from your typical robot with mechanical devices at connected joints, like Honda’s ASIMO.

The way they need to run is to have movements nearly like humans, and that’s where the AR gets its concept from: human muscles. While it doesn’t really receive the humanoid treatment and shape, it works very much like how a human does, at least the legs.

As you’ll see in the video below, early prototypes of the bot which were less ‘human’ like in design didn’t function as well as the newer version, which boasts McKibben artificial muscles and a biologically correct musculoskeletal system. Now, the robot still can’t run very far without falling over, but it’s impressive to watch its movements nonetheless.

You’ll need to walk before you can run, and now that robots can walk, it’s time to teach them how to run. Next up, give them a jetpack and arms with 2.5mm bullet rounds, and you’ll have your droid armies. Skynet’s coming. You have been warned.

SOURCE via Gizmodo