ATHLETE ROBOTS

Three years ago, we told you that Honda was working on Asimo, a robot that could run 6km/h. We all managed not to panic. Now Toyota, the company that brought us robot musicians and robot maids, introduces the latest in running robot technology.

This unnamed bot can run 7km/h (take that, Asimo), and as they demonstrate in the video, can withstand being pushed by a human. That’s right, human. It can stand up to you, as long as you don’t push too hard.

We are always excited to see the latest developments in robotics, but it is a little unsettling to see these humanoid robots becoming more and more like us. For those of us who are already picked last in gym class, this just seems like a lot more competition.

However, if these running humanoid robots promise not to hunt us down when they learn how to move at super speeds, we promise not to shove them gently until they topple over. Deal?

[The video] from Toyota demonstrates the running capabilities of the new humanoid robot. The robot takes a step every 340ms and has no contact with the ground for 100ms of that. Notice in the video how the robot remains balanced even after pushed by the human.