Presenting the bionic kangaroo!

[rwatts]

New robotic technology advances by a series of small leaps. Literally.

Unlike the real kangaroo, this one is primitive. It's almost a knuckle-dragger. Look where it's knuckles end up, just before it begins its spring.


Really neat though.

[Teallaura]

Dino-robo-roo?

[sylas]

... And as they say "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery" - so we are amazed by things like robots that we create imitating natural creatures.

Indeed; it is also impressive because it is hard. Getting mechanical things to perform with the fluid complex movements of living things is a huge challenge; and as people have noted, these robots aren't there yet. They show some phenomenal engineering; but they still are pale jerky imitations of the real thing.

So a reminder; if you find these robots fascinating -- and I certainly do -- then also take time out to look at the real living things they imitate. Watching a gull in flight, or a kangaroo bounding over a plain, or a dragonfly darting over a pond -- or a human artisan at work (fine manipulations and deliberate designs is where we excel in the living world) -- is all breathtaking as well.

Cheers -- sylas