Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — Researcher in China have unveiled a quadrupedal robot called the ‘Black Panther 2.0’ that reportedly runs faster than humans and nearly matches the top speed of Olympic sprinting legend Usain Bolt.
The Black Panther 2.0 is the result of a collaborative project between scientists from the robotics startup Mirror Me and the Center for Interdisciplinary Mechanics at Zhejiang University in China. The four-legged robot is weighs 38-kilogram (84-pound) and standing 0.63 meters (2 feet) tall.
According to Xinhua, the robot can complete a 100-meter sprint in under 10 seconds. The team behind the robot claims it can reach speeds of 10.4 meters per second (37 km/h or 23 mph). This speed is nearly rivals of Usain Bolt’s 10.44 meters per second world record, set at the 2009 World Athletics Championships.
The running capabilities of Black Panther 2.0 showcased on a video uploaded to the Sentivium YouTube channel.
Inspired by Nature
Researchers designed Black Panther 2.0 by studying the movements and joints of agile animals like black panthers, cheetahs, and jerboas. The robot is equipped with flexible knee-like joints on all four legs and reinforced carbon fiber structures to maintain stability under high-speed pressure.
To enhance traction, the team even developed “running shoes” inspired by a cheetah’s paw structure. Additionally, AI-powered machine learning enables the robot to adapt its movement to different environments.
“Through the integration of software and hardware, we were able to develop a prototype in just three months,” said Wang Hongtao, head of the research institute and professor at Zhejiang University, in an interview with Xinhua.
Advancements in Robotics
Black Panther 2.0 is among the latest advancements in four-legged robotic technology. Other notable examples robot is, Lynx, a security robot created by China’s DEEP Robotics, which can navigate challenging terrain but has a top speed of 4.9 meters per second (11 mph), which is only half that of Black Panther 2.0.
Beyond quadrupedal robots, China is also keep on giving birth to groundbreaking technology in humanoid robots. While also, China is preparing for a race between humanoid bipedal robots and human runners, signaling further innovation in robotic mobility.
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The development of Black Panther 2.0 marks a significant leap in robotic mobility, showcasing China’s advancements in AI-driven biomechanics. As researchers continue to refine its speed and adaptability, this cutting-edge technology could pave the way for future innovations in robotic.
(Raidi/Agung)
