Cassie the bipedal robot uses machine learning to complete a 5km jog

Four years is a long time in robotics, especially so for a bipedal robot developed at Oregon State University (OSU) named Cassie. Dreamt up as an agile machine to carry packages from delivery vans to doorsteps, Cassie has recently developed an ability to run, something its developers have now shown off by having it complete what they say is the first 5-km (3.1-mi) jog by a bipedal robot. We first took a look at Cassie the bipedal robot back in 2017, when OSU researchers revealed an ostrich-like machine capable of waddling along at a steady pace. It is based on the team's previously developed Atrias bipedal robot, but featured steering feet and sealed electronics in order to function in the rain and snow and navigate outdoor terrain. The team has since used machine learning to equip Cassie with an impressive new skill: the ability to run. This involved what they call a deep reinforcement learning algorithm, which Cassie combines with its unique biomechanics and knees that bend like an ostrich to make fine adjustments to keep itself upright when on the move.