Switzerland: ANYmal – Robot dog with a sense of touch explores the Alps (video)

Watch the video: Bizarre robot dog – four-legged friend with a sense of touch explores the Alps.

Robot dogs are actually nothing new. But this specimen called ANYmal can do something special: rely on its sense of touch. The new ability was developed at ETH Zurich. O-TON TAKAHIRO MIKI, DOCTORAL STUDENT AT ETH ZURICH: “Up to now, when a robot used its sensors, it always relied on the information being correct. If there is a step, the robot trusts this information and steps on it. But in nature it’s different, for example when you walk through tall grass and it appears as obstacles for the robot to step on. If it only trusts one piece of information at a time, it can’t go into those areas.” The robot can therefore recognize when a visually perceived surface does not offer any support. Then the touch sensors are prioritized. This ability is also helpful in snow or puddles. The scientists hope that one day their robot will be used in areas that are inaccessible or too dangerous for humans.