Robots To Do The Bouncy Human Walk

For all its "humanity", ASIMO can't walk like a human being. Its gait may look human, but a large amount of energy is spent for every step. And what if you wanted it to run?

When we walk, our muscles store about 40 percent of the energy we spend--they act as springs. Now, roboticists at Oregon State University are working on giving the same to robots using steel cable tendons and inbuilt springs.

Right now, the project has produced a one legged robot that just hops, but does so more efficiently than any robot before it. Soon, we'll see a two-legged robot, and when the machines finally take over, they'll be able to outrun us in no time.