Toyota's humanoid robot was born to run
By Laura June 
posted July 31st 2009 10:46AM
posted July 31st 2009 10:46AM
We essentially can't get enough of advanced robots doing things that look human -- probably in the same way we can't get enough of pretending our dog understands English. Anthropomorphism aside, Toyota's humanoid running robot is really impressive. It's got a super impressive sense of balance, and he's quite fast on his feet -- running at an average of 7 km an hour (yes, that's faster than ASIMO can run), too. We can say with 100 percent certainty that we'd like to hang out with this guy -- check out the video after the break.
It's more like speedwalking, but still very cool.
D
One foot always has to be on the ground for speedwalking. Don't you remember when Hal was into speedwalking?
@Name:
Upon reviewing the slo-mo video (similar to Hal's a-ha moment in the show), I see that both feet are off the ground.
So he's technically running, but just barely so. A few milliseconds.
Impressive!
most impressive
So in the future Robots will sound like goosestepping Nazi's when they run.
runs like a girl!
Even if it wears slippers.
It runs like a robotic Dr. Hackenbush. Just put on a little greasepaint and stuff a cigar in it's mouth.
Sure, impressive, at almost 4.5 mph, these things move faster than most humans. I'm gonna stop by the sports store and pick up my sneakers and start prepping this weekend to outrun our new enslavers, for as long as I can, that is.....
I want 20 of these running through the forest - and a paintball gun...
lol runs like something is stuck up its ass...
i have a feeling i will be regretting this post 30 years in the future, with a young robot with a gun to my face saying this is for my grandpa. Gulps O_O
Interesting gait that robot has.
I also find it funny that someone names 'Honda' works for Toyota.
I call it Tiltmaster.
It would be less funny if you knew anything about Japanese names. Pretty common last name.
It's still funny.
someone in a robot suit. clever hhhhwapanese.
Amazing!
Pretty soon it will be able to outrun a human. Our doom is imminent!
Pretty much. Throw some glowing red eyes and some more speed behind that thing and we're dealing with a living nightmare.
Don't you mean a non-living nightmare?
Uhm, no?
it doesn't need to outrun you. it just needs to be able to not get as tired as you do. doesn't need sleep, water, rest, etc. just some serious energy density storage system and skin made of bullet-proof solar panels.
umm yes? outrnunng doesn't have to be by a humanoid. an autonomous car (old news) can 'outrun' a human. jokes aside bipedalism is not a good trait (as far as efficiency) so isn't it a waste resources to develop human-like robot?
have you seen some of the humans in the US? I'm sure it can outrun them already.
I'd like to see this guy in a less controlled environment; how'd it do with terrain imperfections?
It wouldn't.
It would first level the track with it's freakin eye lasers.
I, for one, welcome our jogging overlords!
I, for one, welcome our Robot Olympics overlords.
The balance testing and its gait reminds me a lot of that Big Dog robot the military is/was building. Of course, leave it to Japan to take amazing technology and make it adorable.
They are always pushing robots around. revolt!
deathmatch!!!!!!!!
I wonder if someone gave it a good shove, and it fell down, would it spin around the floor like Curly?
nyuk nyuk nyuk
I know robot invasion jokes here are said here lot. But in all seriousness I kinda got a bit horrified as it was running in the direction of the camera. Think of an army of these things chasing you en masse.
Then my child-brain goes into video game territory by imagining mowing them all down with a shotgun or chain gun.
Hit him in the face with a rocket as he runs to you and the top half will be blown to bits while the legs run past you.
run robot Forest, run!
Did they have to make the eyes all Charlotte's Web like?
I'm going to invent a killer robot that only kills people who are worried that they might get killed by a robot.
I say we kick it Boston Dynamic Big Dog style.
The End is Nigh
The Cylons have learned how to run
I won't be impressed until it can play the piano.
Well it play's the Trumpet and the violin isn't that good enough
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhWDJ7DZYu4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4ydjrD_U2Q
Actually, Japan did make a piano playing robot years ago. It would actually read a score and press the keys like any human pianist would do.
funny way of running lol =)
Run LolaBOT Run !!
baby we were born to run!!!! (Guess who)
In the day we sweat it out on the streets of a runaway American dream
Will Smith saw this coming.