A Chinese company has pushed the boundaries of robotics by unveiling a quadruped robot that can run 100 meters in less than 10 seconds.
The Black Panther 2.0 robot dog is the result of a partnership between Zhejiang University’s Humanoid Innovation Institute and Hangzhou-based startup Mirror Me.
The robot’s design is based on the legs and joints of the jerboa and black leopard, and emphasizes power, strength, adaptability, fluidity and precision to improve high-speed maneuverability, according to Chinese news agencies. .
The researchers hope that the robot will eventually outperform real animals in terms of speed and maneuverability.
In 2023, the quadrupedal HOUND set a Guinness World Record for the fastest 100 meters by a four-legged robot.
Fusion of technology and speed
The Black Panther 2.0 robot weighed 83 pounds (38 kilograms), was 2.07 feet (0.63 meters) tall, and could run 100 meters in less than 10 seconds, breaking the previous world record for a four-legged robot.
Inspired by the movements of leopards and jerboas, the use of springs in joint positions absorbs shock and maintains speed. According to Xinhua, the carbon fiber shank, modeled after a jerboa rat, increases stiffness by 135% with only a 16% increase in weight. Cheetah-inspired “running shoes” increase grip by 200%.
With the help of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, the robot adapts its gait to different terrains by synchronizing its limbs and making fluid movements using Huygens’ concept of interlocking pendulums. .
Custom high power density motors provide exceptional strength and precision, paving the way for future industrial applications. Black Panther 2.0 is currently one of the fastest and most efficient quadruped robots.
“Through the integration of software and components, we were able to create a prototype within just three months,” said Wang Hongtao, director of the institute and a professor at Zhejiang University, according to a report by Xinhua News Agency.
Although it still falls short of top land animals such as cheetahs, ostriches, and wildebeest, Black Panther 2.0 can now outperform most humans in sprinting. The research team wants to learn more about how robots and organic matter move differently in hopes of eventually surpassing robots’ speed and agility.
Dynamic movement that evolves
The previous record holder in this category is HOUND, developed by the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology’s Dynamic Robot Control Design Institute in Daejeon, South Korea. The robot completed the 100-meter distance in 19.87 seconds.
Weighing 99 pounds (45 kilograms), about the same as the average male American Bulldog, HOUND has lightweight, specialized legs built for sprinting. The hip and knee actuators are placed in parallel, and a belt pulley system transfers knee movement to the joint, allowing a full range of motion.
The team behind HOUND emphasized the importance of motors, emphasizing that instantaneous and consistent performance is a key factor when choosing motors for dynamic leg locomotion.
In November 2024, researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) developed a tool that uses the natural vibration patterns of the human and animal bodies to improve the maneuverability of robots. The device was tested on a robotic dog named BERT to determine the behavior that uses the least amount of energy.
In gait control tests, BERT outperformed robots utilizing traditional technology by precisely timing the application of these natural vibration patterns to produce faster, more dynamic movements.
