Budget robots inspired by animals a step forward for humans

Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University's School of Computer Science and the University of California have designed a system that enables a small, low-cost robot to climb and descend stairs, traverse uneven and varied terrain, walk across gaps, and even operate in the dark. The research could be a step toward solving existing challenges facing legged robots and bringing them into people's homes, say researchers. A paper supporting the research - Legged Locomotion in Challenging Terrains Using Egocentric Vision - will be presented at the upcoming Conference on Robot Learning in Auckland, New Zealand. "Empowering small robots to climb stairs and handle a variety of environments is crucial to developing robots that will be useful in people's homes as well as search-and-rescue operations," says Deepak Pathak, an Assistant Professor at Carnegie Mellon's Robotics Institute. "This system creates a robust and adaptable robot that could perform many everyday tasks."